Scientists at the UCO investigating a new process to produce biofuels sustainably

Scientists at the UCO investigating a new process to produce biofuels sustainably

The group at the University of Biosahe Cordova develops a research project that will produce both biodiesel and bioplastics through biorefineries.


Scientists at the UCO investigating a new process to produce biofuels sustainably
Climate change and global warming are driving the study and use of new renewable energy such as biofuels, which can partly replace the use of oil, including biodiesel and bioethanol. Thus, the group Biosahe, Department of Physical Chemistry and Applied Thermodynamics, University of Córdoba (UCO), develops a research project to learn the ways of optimization of the process of production of biodiesel.

Maria Pilar Dorado, Biosahe group coordinator and professor at the Polytechnic School, explains: "We are working on a bio-based renewable energy such as biodiesel." To do this using raw materials which do not compete with food, including crops such as jaramago, safflower, canola and castor Ethiopian, and land allocated for the operation of these plants are fallow, ie not used for crops for human consumption.

The researcher says: "We use some energy crops, we produce biodiesel and waste generated to produce bioplastics employees. Thus, we close the cycle of generation biodiesel and do so in a sustainable manner. " Maria Pilar Dorado reports that during the process oil is obtained from seeds grown for processing into biodiesel, and the remains of the seed (residues represent 60% of it) is pressed and there is a kind of cake . In addition, biodiesel is generated when there is another residue, which is glycerine. Researchers are studying bacteria that feed on glycerol and produce bioplastics and cake that was supplied to provide the extra protein they need during the production process. "Right now we are experimenting with different types of crops and microorganisms to optimize the generation of biodiesel," notes Gold.

Within this project also includes the idea of developing a simplified procedure allowing to see if this biofuel meets the European standards of quality. María Pilar Dorado points out that "through a device when receptions biodiesel at the pump, may know the properties of the biofuel that received".


Críticas biodiesel

Gold stresses: "States should control the production of biodiesel to never need to attack the food." He adds: "The biofuel can never fill the demand for fossil fuels, but may be helpful while others are more energy effective." However, he says, "there is much misinformation and criticism of the biodiesel, sometimes not well supported." In this study, the company collaborates Andaltec Jaén (specializing in plastics), universities (Manchester and Athens) and the University of Jaen.