Date: 04/04/2006
Category: Natural resources and environment
Contact: Pilar Dorado Pérez
Email: qf1dopem@uco.es
This project is part of the Asia-Pro-Eco Programme, designed to strengthen environmental cooperation between Europe and Asia, and is funded by the European Commission and the Hangzhou Town Council (China). Five institutions participate in the project: the University of Tianjin (China), the University of Milano (Italy), the Austrian Biofuels Institute (Austria), the University of Jaen (in association with the University of Cordoba, both from Spain), and the University of Malaya (Malaysia), plus three associate participants: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft (Germany), the University of Cantho (Vietnam) of Jaen (in association with the University of Cordoba, both from SPain, and the University of Tianjin (China).
In an interview for Andalucia Investiga, Ms Pilar Dorado, head of the UJA research group, pointed out that “the main objective of this project is to provide a solid base for the implementation of a demonstrationenge biodiesel plant of 0.5 t/h, which will be built in the Chinese districts of Beicheng, Tianjin and Xihu (Hangzhou). Biodiesel is then expected to be extensively implemented and used in China, within the framework of the Renewable Energies Act.” In this way, fossil fuels will be replaced with the produced biodiesel, recycling fats and oils at the same time.
Biodiesel is an environmentally-friendly, renewable, ecological fuel, made from vegetable oils or animal fats. It offers several advantages compared to other fuels, although its main advantage is that it reduces gas emissions. Biodiesel is widely used throughout Europe, and is available from hundreds of petrol stations. In Spain, however, is still little known.
The project will work on the following aspects: a) research on available local sources, appropriate for biodiesel production; b) description of such sources; c) pre-treatment of such sources; d) choosing appropriate production technology; e) formulation of new heterogeneous catalytic converters; f) biodiesel post-treatment; g) biodiesel bedplate and road tests; h) resulting glycerine recycling; i) techno-economic and environmental process assessment; j) result dissemination; k) building a demonstration plant.
The Chinese region of Tianjin is particularly affected by gas emissions produced mainly by motor vehicles. The aim of this plant is to significantly minimize that problem. According to Pilar Dorado, “the results obtained must be attractive for motorists and car manufacturers, oleaginous crop farmers, environmental policymakers, legislators, waste managers, biodiesel producers and involved researchers.” These results will be applied in several regions of China and Malaysia, as well as in some other Asian countries, particularly Vietnam, where gas emissions from motor vehicles and fat and oil recycling are a priority.
