Scientists' breakthrough in production of biofuels
Advertisement
A team of scientists from the University of Sheffield have scooped an international award in recognition of their work on an innovative device which will make the production of alternative biofuels more energy efficient.
The research team has adapted a unique bioreactor for use in the production of alternative renewable fuels, to replace fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel. The manufacture of biofuels currently requires vast amounts of power and when the process uses too much energy, it is uneconomic. This new method consumes much less energy and could prove to be vital to the economic, green production of alternative fuels.
The team have devised an air-lift loop bioreactor which creates microbubbles using 18% less energy consumption. Microbubbles are miniature gas bubbles of less than 50 microns diameter in water. They are able to transfer materials in a bioreactor much more rapidly than larger bubbles produced by conventional bubble generation techniques and they consume much less energy. The team's unique adaption of the bioreactor and creation of microbubbles has the potential to revolutionise the energy-efficient production of biofuels.
In recognition of this breakthrough, the team have been awarded the Moulton Medal from the Institution of Chemical Engineers, which recognises the best paper published in the Institution's journal during the year. The team also submitted their project as a poster to the 6th Annual bioProcessUK conference, where it picked up the Best Poster Award.
The approach is currently being tested with researchers from Suprafilt in Rochdale on industrial stack gases. The team are also currently testing the application of the device with local water company Yorkshire Water. They are using the components of the bioreactor that produce microbubbles to give a better performance in the treatment of wastewater. They are predicting to reduce the current electricity costs for this process by a third.
Professor Will Zimmerman, from the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: "I am delighted that our team's work in energy efficient microbubble generation is being recognized by the Institution of Chemical Engineers. The potential for large energy savings with our microbubble generation approach is huge. I hope the award draws more industry attention to our work, particularly in commodity chemicals production for gas dissolution and stripping, where energy savings could enhance profitability. There are many routes to becoming green, and reducing energy consumption with the same or better performance must be the most painless."
Professor Martin Tillotson, from Yorkshire Water, added: "Many of our processes use forced air in order to treat water and wastewater streams and, given the huge volumes, it is very costly in electricity and carbon terms. This technology offers the potential to produce a step-change in energy performance. We are pleased to be working with Professor Zimmerman and his group in developing the microbubble technology, and delighted with the recognition they have received from the Moulton Medal award."
Other news from the department science
These products might interest you
New
Fully automated hydrogenation reactor BR/H2 by Berghof
Fully automated hydrogenation reactor: Precise and safe hydrogenation at the flick of a switch
Optimised process control with leakage tests, gas consumption measurement and modular expandability
BRC - Berghof Reactor Controller by Berghof
BRC - complete package for data acquisition, storage and control of all process parameters
Touch controllers are easy to use and provide quick access to all important functions
Berghof Reactor Technology - High and Low Pressure Reactors, Pressure Vessels, and Metal-Free Reactors by Berghof
Safe high- and low-pressure systems for aggressive media
Corrosion-resistant reactors with PTFE lining - individually configurable
Most read news
More news from our other portals
Last viewed contents
Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC and JSR Corporation settle patent litigation
New technology detects chemical weapons in seconds - EPSRC-funded research develops advanced sensors for detection of chemicals and illegal drugs
A mineral provides the template: peptides assemble into arrays of flat nanotapes on mica surfaces
Agrium to continue operation of Kenai, Alaska nitrogen facility in 2007
Cleaner and greener cities with integrated transparent solar cells - High power conversion of new solar cells that are thin, flexible, and transparent makes them ideal for a wealth of new applications
Millipore and Gen-Probe Form Collaboration to Develop Rapid Molecular Tests for the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industries
Air Products Collaborates with Tianjin University in China on Advanced Chemical Engineering Sciences
A droplet's pancake bounce - New discovery about how surface gradients influence droplet behavior may enable novel surfaces
