Date of Graduation
5-2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Chemical Engineering
Abstract
The need for viable alternatives to gasoline has lead researchers to explore various options for renewable energy resources. This research study focuses on two major options for renewable energy. The first is biodiesel, which is a fuel that can be made from vegetable oils or animal fats. In this study, biodiesel was made from tall oil, a paper byproduct. A novel reaction method was used, employing high temperature methanol rather than acid or base catalysis. The second option that was investigated is butanol, which is an alcohol with advantages over ethanol. First, a two-step fermentation was examined to improve the productivity of butanol fermentation. After this, the electrically-driven separation method of electrodeionization (EDI) was explored in order to further increase the final butanol product yield after the two-step fermentation.
Citation
Lorenz, N. (2011). Innovation and development of biofuel technologies. Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cheguht/12