What Role Does Catalysis Play in Biofuel Production?
Biofuels are another crucial component of the renewable energy landscape. Catalysis is key to converting biomass into usable fuels.
1. Transesterification: This process is used to produce biodiesel from vegetable oils or animal fats. Catalysts like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide are used to convert triglycerides into methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerol.
2. Hydrothermal Liquefaction: This method converts wet biomass into bio-crude oil using heat and pressure in the presence of a catalyst. The bio-crude can then be upgraded to renewable diesel or gasoline.
3. Fermentation: Enzymatic catalysis is essential for the fermentation process, where enzymes act as biocatalysts to convert sugars into ethanol. Advancements in enzyme efficiency are crucial for improving the yield and reducing the cost of bioethanol production.
