@article { author = {}, title = {Editorial Board}, journal = {Biofuel Research Journal}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {-}, year = {2020}, publisher = {Alpha Creation Enterprise}, issn = {2292-8782}, eissn = {2292-8782}, doi = {10.18331/BRJ2020.7.1.1}, abstract = {}, keywords = {}, url = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103973.html}, eprint = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103973_2227e977cce04d368cbb2e9453836113.pdf} } @article { author = {Kulkarni, Rajeswari M. and Britto, Pradima J. and Narula, Archna and Saqline, Syed and Anand, Deeksha and Bhagyalakshmi, C. and Herle, R. Nidhi}, title = {Kinetic studies on the synthesis of fuel additives from glycerol using CeO2–ZrO2 metal oxide catalyst}, journal = {Biofuel Research Journal}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {1100-1108}, year = {2020}, publisher = {Alpha Creation Enterprise}, issn = {2292-8782}, eissn = {2292-8782}, doi = {10.18331/BRJ2020.7.1.2}, abstract = {Highly stable and active CeO2-ZrO2 metal oxide catalyst was synthesized via the combustion method and was further functionalized with sulphate (SO42-) groups. The morphology, surface functionalities, and composition of the metal oxide catalyst were determined by scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption and desorption measurement, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized catalyst was used for esterification of glycerol with acetic acid. Effects of the process parameters including acetic acid to glycerol molar ratios (3-20), catalyst loadings (1-9 wt.%) and reaction temperatures (70–110°C) on the glycerol conversion and glycerol acetates selectivity were studied. Excellent catalytic activity was observed by using the sulphated metal oxide catalyst resulting in a glycerol conversion as high as 99.12%. The selectivity towards the di and triacetin (fuel additive) formed stood at 57.28% and 21.26% respectively. The reaction rate constants and activation energies were also estimated using a Quasi-Newton algorithm, namely Broyden’s method and Arrhenius equations at 80-110℃. The calculated values were in accordance with the experimental values which confirmed the model. Finally, the developed catalyst could be reused for three consecutive cycle without major loss of its activity. Overall, the findings presented here could be instrumental to drive future research and commercialization efforts directed toward biodiesel glycerol valorisation into fuel additives.}, keywords = {Biodiesel,Glycerol,Fuel additive,Acetins,Mixed oxide catalyst,Kinetic Model}, url = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103972.html}, eprint = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103972_1bdd9159cd851527bf28e888bad1e983.pdf} } @article { author = {Shibata, Yosuke and Tanaka, Kenya and Asakuma, Yusuke and Nguyen, Cuong V. and Hoang, Son A. and Phan, Chi M.}, title = {Selective evaporation of a butanol/water droplet by microwave irradiation, a step toward economizing biobutanol production}, journal = {Biofuel Research Journal}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {1109-1114}, year = {2020}, publisher = {Alpha Creation Enterprise}, issn = {2292-8782}, eissn = {2292-8782}, doi = {10.18331/BRJ2020.7.1.3}, abstract = {The separation step is a constraint in biobutanol production, due to high energy consumption of the current techniques. This study explores a new separation method via applying microwave irradiation. Butanol/water droplet was monitored during exposure to microwave irradiation at different power rates. The surface tension, droplet volume, and temperature were scrutinized during and after exposure to microwave irradiation. The data obtained indicated that the microwave-induced evaporation rates of alcohols were much higher than that of water. Consequently, the vaporized phase contained a much higher alcohol content than the liquid phase. In particular, butanol concentration in the aqueous phase could be reduced to ~ 0.1 wt.%, which was more effective than the theoretical limit via the boiling process. The method is an attractive option to complement the fermentation process, which produces a low butanol concentration solution. This development could potentially lead to a more efficient pathway for biobutanol production.}, keywords = {Microwave,Surface tension,1-butanol separation,Evaporation,Economic viability}, url = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103971.html}, eprint = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103971_5a0d3610f7364abd8436c549df8663ec.pdf} } @article { author = {Cheah, Wai Yan and Sankaran, Revathy and Show, Pau Loke and Tg. Ibrahim, Tg. Nilam Baizura and Chew, Kit Wayne and Culaba, Alvin and Chang, Jo-Shu}, title = {Pretreatment methods for lignocellulosic biofuels production: current advances, challenges and future prospects}, journal = {Biofuel Research Journal}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {1115-1127}, year = {2020}, publisher = {Alpha Creation Enterprise}, issn = {2292-8782}, eissn = {2292-8782}, doi = {10.18331/BRJ2020.7.1.4}, abstract = {Lignocellulosic biomass has been recognized as promising feedstock for biofuels production. However, the high cost of pretreatment is one of the major challenges hindering large-scale production of biofuels from these abundant, indigenously-available, and economic feedstock. In addition to high capital and operation cost, high water consumption is also regarded as a challenge unfavorably affecting the pretreatment performance. In the present review, advances in lignocellulose pretreatment technologies for biofuels production are reviewed and critically discussed. Moreover, the challenges faced and future research needs are addressed especially in optimization of operating parameters and assessment of total cost of biofuel production from lignocellulose biomass at large scale by using different pretreatment methods. Such information would pave the way for industrial-scale lignocellulosic biofuels production. Overall, it is important to ensure that throughout lignocellulosic bioethanol production processes, favorable features such as maximal energy saving, waste recycling, wastewater recycling, recovery of materials, and biorefinery approach are considered.}, keywords = {Lignocellulose,Biomass,Biofuels,Pretreatment,Sustainability,Economic viability}, url = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103970.html}, eprint = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103970_1824fa057e831b02e7da67b6822f2533.pdf} } @article { author = {Kadier, Abudukeremu and Jain, Pratiksha and Lai, Bin and Kalil, Mohd Sahaid and Kondaveeti, Sanath and Alabbosh, Khulood Fahad Saud and Abu-Reesh, Ibrahim M and Mohanakrishna, Gunda}, title = {Biorefinery perspectives of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for hydrogen and valuable chemicals production through wastewater treatment}, journal = {Biofuel Research Journal}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {1128-1142}, year = {2020}, publisher = {Alpha Creation Enterprise}, issn = {2292-8782}, eissn = {2292-8782}, doi = {10.18331/BRJ2020.7.1.5}, abstract = {The degradation of waste organics through microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) generates hydrogen (H2) gas in an economically efficient way. MEC is known as the advanced concept of the microbial fuel cell (MFC) but requires a minor amount of supplementary electrical energy to produce H2 in the cathode microenvironment. Different bio/processes could be integrated to generate additional energy from the substrate used in MECs, which would make the whole process more sustainable. On the other hand, the energy required to drive the MEC mechanism could be harvested from renewable energy sources. These integrations could advance the efficiency and economic feasibility of the whole process. The present review critically discusses all the integrations investigated to date with MECs such as MFCs, anaerobic digestion, microbial desalination cells, membrane bioreactors, solar energy harvesting systems, etc. Energy generating non-biological and eco-friendly processes (such as dye-sensitized solar cells and thermoelectric microconverters) which could also be integrated with MECs, are also presented and reviewed. Achieving a comprehensive understanding about MEC integration could help with developing advanced biorefineries towards more sustainable energy management. Finally, the challenges related to the scaling up of these processes are also scrutinized with the aim to identify the practical hurdles faced in the MEC processes. }, keywords = {Biohydrogen production,Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC),Wastewater Treatment,Dark fermentation,Substrate degradation}, url = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103966.html}, eprint = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_103966_a226e79d9f6dcadab86b3e6e67476c63.pdf} }