A team of chemists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has developed an innovative process that simplifies and optimizes biodiesel production . Using sodium tetramethoxyborate (NaB(OMe)₄) as a reagent, this method makes it possible to convert used oil into biodiesel in less than an hour and at temperatures as low as 40°C.
This breakthrough promises to make biofuel more accessible and sustainable for industrial sectors.
[post_relacionado]The U.S. transportation sector, which consumes millions of barrels of diesel daily, has struggled to reduce its carbon footprint due to current biodiesel production methods, which are expensive and energy-inefficient. According to PhD student Kevin Lofgren, lead author of the study, this new material “ allows for cleaner and more efficient production of biodiesel, significantly reducing the energy needed and associated costs .”
From used oil to biodiesel
Unlike traditional methods that generate byproducts such as soap and require extreme temperatures and pressures, this new chemical process is simple and efficient. The researchers highlighted that the resulting byproduct can be reused to regenerate the more expensive reagent, making it even more cost-effective and sustainable. In addition, the biodiesel produced meets almost all industry quality standards, except for a slightly higher water content, which is expected to be adjusted by scaling up the process.
Scott Oliver, professor of chemistry and co-author of the study, noted:
Our method uses waste vegetable oil and gentle heat, which contrasts with traditional refineries that are energy intensive. This breakthrough has the potential to be implemented even on farms, without the need for complex industrial infrastructure.
Biodiesel is a carbon-neutral fuel that can power heavy vehicles and machinery without the need to modify current diesel engines . This development represents a crucial opportunity for sectors that cannot be easily electrified, such as shipping and freight transport, and could significantly reduce CO 2 emissions .
This discovery, published in the American Chemical Society’s journal Energy & Fuels , was funded by the Innovation Catalyst program and stands out as a promising step toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
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Source: University of California, Santa Cruz
Photo: shutterstock