Prospects of Synthetic Biodiesel Production from Various Bio-Wastes in Jordan
- 1 National Energy Research Center, Amman, Jordan
- 2 School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
- 3 National Energy Research Center, Amman, Jordan
- 4 National Energy Research Center, Amman, Jordan
Abstract
The main objectives of this technical experiment are to quantify the amount of various bio-wastes available for the bioenergy development in Jordan and investigate the prospects of biodiesel potentials from such bio-wastes using catalytic depolymerization technology developed in the German company ALPHAKAT. The quantification process revealed substantial quantities of bio-wastes originated from various sectors such as dairy and poultry farms, by-products of wastewater treatment plants, and agriculture by-products. The results show that olive cake provides the highest potential for biodiesel production with a ratio of 39%. Chemical analysis showed varying levels of sulfur contents, which required desulfurization unit to produce standard quality biodiesel. Chemical analysis also showed high phosphorus content, which provided another economic opportunity to use the biodiesel by-products as a fertilizer. The statistical correlation test showed a strong linear correlation between the percentage of organic content and caloric value and biodiesel output. The study also unveiled that the C:H ratio is strongly correlated with the biodiesel production model. The regression analysis generated a model for biodiesel production, which can be used to evaluate the biodiesel production based on the net dry biomass and C:H ratio in the substrate. Based on the model, the study estimated the potential of biodiesel from olive cake to reach up to 4 million liters annually. Policymakers and involved governmental institutes are advised to develop new regulations and laws to increase the share of bioenergy in the primary energy mix through attracting co-public investments accompanied by supportive economic tools such as starter loans, tax exemptions, and feedin-tariffs. Further research is needed to quantify other sources of bio-wastes such as cooking-oil wastes.
- IPCC, “Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation: Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,” Cambridge University Press, New York, 2012.
- Practical Action. Poor People’ Energy Outlook 2012, “Energy for Community Services,” Practical Action Publishing, Rugby,2012.
- P. S. Nigam and A. Singh, “Production of Liquid Biofuels from Renewable Resources,” Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Vol. 37, No. 1, 2010, pp. 52-68. doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2010.01.003
- N. Mintz-Habib, “Malaysian Biofuels Industry Experience: A Socio-Political Analysis of the Commercial Environment,” Energy Policy, Vol. 56, 2013, pp. 88-100. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2012.08.069
- A. Karp and G. M. Richter, “Meeting the Challenge of Food and Energy Security,” The Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 62, No. 10, 2011, pp. 3263-3271. doi:10.1093/jxb/err099
- OCED-FAO, “Agriculture Outlook 2012-2021, Food and Agriculture Organization and Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development”. http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/151304/icode/
- R. D. Perlack, L. L. Wright, A. F. Turhollow, R. L. Graham, B. J. Stokes and D. C. Erbach, “Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bio-products Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply,” US Department of Agriculture, Washington DC, 2005. doi:10.2172/885984
- “The State of Renewable Energies in Europe,” The12th EurObserv’ER Report, 2012.
- A. E. Atabania, A. S. Silitonga, I. A. Badruddina, T. M. I. Mahliaa, H. H. Masjukia and S. Mekhilefd, “A Comprehensive Review on Biodiesel As an Alternative Energy Resource and Its Characteristics,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2012, pp. 2070-2093. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2012.01.003
- IEA, “World Energy Outlook,” International Energy Agency, Paris, 2010.
- JRC, “Scientific and Technical Reports,” Technology Map of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) Technology Descriptions, 2011.
- I. Rawat, R. Ranjith Kumar, T. Mutanda and F. Bux, “Biodiesel from Microalgae: A Critical Evaluation from Laboratory to Large Scale Production,” Applied Energy, Vol. 103, 2013, pp. 444-467. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.10.004
- B. L. Salvi and N. L. Panwar, “Biodiesel Resources and Production Technologies—A Review,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 6, 2012, pp. 3680-3689. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2012.03.050