Recent advances in Ni-based catalysts for the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol

The electrochemical ethanol oxidation reaction(EOR) plays a crucial role in electrochemical hydrogen production and direct ethanol fuel cells, both vital for utilizing renewable energies. Ni-based catalysts are pivotal in enabling efficient EOR, leading to the formation of acetic acid/acetaldehyde or CO_(2). These can serve as alternative anodic oxidation reactions for oxygen evolution reaction(OER) in water electrolysis or the anodic reaction for direct ethanol fuel cells, respectively. This review explores recent advancements in EOR over Ni-based catalysts. It begins with an overview of EOR performance across various Ni-based catalysts, followed by an examination of the reaction chemistry, mechanism, and active sites.The review then delves into strategies for designing highly active Ni-based EOR catalysts. These strategies include promotion with transition metals, noble metals, nonmetals, and carbon materials, as well as creating amorphous structures, special morphologies, and single-atom catalysts. Additionally, it discusses the concept of self-supporting catalysts using three-dimensional porous substrates. Finally, the review highlights emerging methodologies that warrant further exploration, along with future directions for designing highly active and stable EOR catalysts.

Past, Present and Future: A Role for Liquid Biofuels in Transitioning to Net Zero?

Over the last decade, the uptake rate of first-generation biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) has decelerated as low blend limits have increased only slowly and extreme volatility in oil prices has limited investment in biofuels production infrastructure. Concerns over the environmental impacts of large-scale biofuels production combined with tariff barriers have greatly restricted the global trade in biofuels. First-generation biofuels produced either by fermentation of sugars from maize or sugarcane (ethanol) or transesterification of triglycerides (biodiesel) presently contribute less than 4% of terrestrial transportation fuel demand and techno-economic modelling foresees this only slowly increasing by 2035. With internal combustion and diesel engines widely anticipated as being phased out in favour of electric power for motor vehicles, a much-reduced market demand for biofuels is likely if global demand for all liquid fuels declines by 2050. However, second-generation, thermochemically produced and biomass-derived fuels (renewable diesel, marine oils and sustainable aviation fuel) have much higher blend limits;combined with policies to decarbonise the aviation and marine industries, major new markets for these products in terrestrial, marine and aviation sectors may emerge in the second half of the 21st century.

Preparation and emission characteristics of ethanol-diesel fuel blends

The preparation of ethanol-diesel fuel blends and their emission characteristics were investigated. Results showed the absolute ethanol can dissolve in diesel fuel at an arbitrary ratio and a small quantity of water(0.2%) addition can lead to the phase separation of blends. An organic additive was synthesized and it can develop the ability of resistance to water and maintain the stability of ethanol-diesel-trace amounts of water system. The emission characteristics of 10%, 20%, and 30% ethanol-diesel fuel blends, with or without additives, were compared with those of diesel fuel in a direct injection(DI) diesel engine. The experimental results indicated that the blend of ethanol with diesel fuel significantly reduced the concentrations of smoke, hydrocarbon(HC), and carbon monoxide(CO) in exhaust gas. Using 20% ethanol-diesel fuel blend with the additive of 2% of the total volume, the optimum mixing ratio was achieved, at which the bench diesel engine testing showed a significant decrease in exhaust gas. Bosch smoke number was reduced by 55%, HC emission by 70%, and CO emission by 45%, at 13 kW/1540 r/min. However, ethanol-diesel fuel blends produced a few ppm acetaldehydes and more ethanol in exhaust gas.

Preparation and characterization of Pt-WO_3/C catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells

Three co-impregnation/chemical reduction methods in acidic solutions of pH 〈 1,including ethylene glycol （EG）,NaBH4,and HCOOH,were compared for Pt-WO3/C catalysts.Pt-WO3/C catalysts containing 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% platinum per carbon were prepared by the three methods; their morphology and electrocatalytic activities were characterized.The 20 wt.% Pt-WO3/C catalyst prepared by the co-impregnation/EG method presented the optimal dispersion with an average particle size of 4.6 nm and subsequently the best electrocatalytic activity,and so,it was further characterized.Its anodic peak current density for ethanol oxidation from linear sweep voltammetry （LSV） is 7.9 mA·cm^-2,which is 1.4 and 5.2 times as high as those of the catalysts prepared by co-impregnation/NaBH4 and co-impregnation/ HCOOH reduction methods,2.1 times as high as that of the 10 wt.% Pt-WO3/C catalyst prepared by co-impregnation/EG method,respectively.

Synthesis and characterization of Pt-MoO_x-TiO_2 electrodes for direct ethanol fuel cells

To enhance the CO-tolerance performance of anode catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells,carbon nanotubes were modified by titanium dioxide （donated as CNTs@TiO2） and subsequently served as the support for the preparation of Pt/CNTs@TiO2 and Pt-Mo/CNTs@TiO2 electrocatalysts via a UV-photoreduction method.The physicochemical characterizations of the catalysts were carried out by using X-ray diffraction （XRD）,transmission electron microscopy （TEM）,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）,and infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed probe ammonia molecules.The electrocatalytic properties of the catalysts for methanol oxidation were investigated by the cyclic voltammetry technique.The results show that Pt-Mo/CNTs@TiO2 electrode exhibits the highest performance in all the electrodes.It is explained that,the structure,the oxidation states,and the acid-base properties of the catalysts are influenced due to the strong interaction between Ti and Mo species by adding TiO2 and MoOx to the Pt-based catalysts.

A Novel Routine for Manufacture of Environmentally Friendly Ethanol Fuel via Reactive Distillation

A novel routine for removing water from ethanol by the hydration using C4 olefin cut catalyzed with the ion exchange resin was proposed. Reactive distillation experiments were carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of this routine. The sensitivity analysis was performed by using the software of ASPEN PLUS 10.2. The optimized operating conditions were obtained considering three objective functions which were the water content of the bottom product, water conversion rate and hydration selectivity. Under the optimized operation conditions, the final product was consisted of 45.0% of ethanol, 19.4% of ethyl tert-butyl ether, 35.1% of tert-butyl alcohol and 0.6% of water in volumetric percentage.

Simulation of Fuel Ethanol Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass

Models for hydrolysis,fermentation and concentration process,production and utilization of biogas as well as lignin gasification are developed to calculate the heat demand of ethanol production process and the amounts of heat and power generated from residues and wastewater of the process.For the energy analysis,all relevant information about the process streams,physical properties,and mass and energy balances are considered.Energy integration is investigated for establishing a network of facilities for heat and power generation from wastewater and residues treatment aiming at the increase of energy efficiency.Feeding the lignin to an IGCC process,the electric efficiency is increased by 4.4% compared with combustion,which leads to an overall energy efficiency of 53.8%.A detailed sensitivity analysis on energy efficiency is also carried out.

Uncertainty in life cycle economical analysis of cassava-based ethanol fuel

Biomass ethanol fuel is not only renewable but also environmental-friendly. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is developing the cassava-based ethanol fuel. Economical performance of the project is the key issue. The traditional life cycle economical analysis is just a static calculation process. Uncertainty is the character of cassava yield, cost of cassava plant, cassava price, tax rate and gasoline price, and the economical performance of the project is determined by these aspects. This study proposes an economical model of cassava-based ethanol fuel. The method of Monte Carol is used to simulate the economical performance. This method conquers the shortage of the traditional way. The results show that cassava-based ethanol fuel can get survived when the tax is exempted. Finally, the study also evaluates the potential of the economical performance.

Decision-making of biomass ethanol fuel policy based on life cycle 3E assessment

To evaluate the environmental, economic, energy performance of biomass ethanol fuel in China and to support the decision-making of biomass ethanol energy policy, an assessment method of life cycle 3E (economy, environment, energy) was applied to the three biomass ethanol fuel cycle alternatives, which includes cassava-based, corn-based and wheat-based ethanol fuel. The assessments provide a comparison of the economical performance, energy efficiency and environmental impacts of the three alternatives. And the development potential of the three alternatives in China was examined. The results are very useful for the Chinese government to make decisions on the biomass ethanol energy policy, and some advises for the decision-making of Chinese government were given.

Miscibility of Ethanol in Diesel Fuels

The primary barrier to the use of ethanol in diesel fuel is the poor miscibility at lower temperatures. The miscibilities of ethanol in 19 diesel fuels having a wide variation in compositions were evaluated by testing their phase separation temperatures. The result shows that aromatic contents and intermediate distillate temperatures have a significant impact on miscibility limits. The FCC diesels, which contain up to 50% of aromatics, exhibit different phase behavior trends in comparison with straight-run diesels and other diesel fuels.

The Control of Lactobacillus sp.by Extracellular Compound Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Fermentation Process of Fuel Ethanol Industry in Brazil

This work evaluated the effect of secondary bacterial metabolites produced by Pseudomonas sp LV strain in control of Lactobacillus sp. population in the microcosm of the vat during ethanol fermentation. The fraction F4 produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was extracted with dichloromethane and fractionating by vacuum liquid chromatography obtained in a methanol phase. The evaluation of antibiotic activity of F4 fraction mixed or not with sulphuric acid and Kamoram?. The antibiotic activity of F4 fraction was determined as well as the fermentation efficiency. Also was determined yeast cell viability, budding formation, the viability of budding cells, and number of populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus sp. The results showed that the F4 fraction had high selective antibiotic activity against Lactobacillus sp. but not for S. cerevisae, and no inhibitory effect was observed in the fermentation process by yeast. Also F4 fraction decreased flocculation and foam formation. The F4 has an antibiotic activity against Lactobacillus sp. and should be used as an alternative to control bacteria contamination and foam and flocculation formation in the fuel ethanol fermentation process. The F4 fraction could reduce the use of antibiotics in the control of Lactobacillus sp. population during the fuel ethanol production.

Fuel consumption study on introducing pyrolyzed DME or ethanol into diesel engine

The present work studied fuel consumption through experiments on a diesel engine. In order to obtain lower BSFC （brake specific fuel consumption）, DME （dimethyl ether） is heated and introduced into air intake, together with fueling emulsified fuel to diesel engine. Results show that BSFC can decrease about 10% and diesel fuel consumption alone can decrease 18%. High saving rate of BSFC up to 10% is also acquired using ethanol instead of DME. To achieve high saving rate of BSFC, the heating temperature of about 1000 K is needed for DME operation, while the diesel engine exhaust temperature of about 750 K is suitable for ethanol. Hydrogen produced in DME or ethanol pyrolysis and the combustion characters of emulsified fuel are considered as main reasons for the excellent fuel saving. Besides, the technique adopted in the present work is extremely easy to be utilized, and may be firstly adopted on diesel engines for power plants, trains, and ships etc.

Sorghum as Dry Land Feedstock for Fuel Ethanol Production

Dry land crops such as sorghums （grain sorghum, promising feedstocks for fuel ethanol production. The major issue sweet sorghum and forage sorghum） have been identified as for using the sweet sorghum as feedstock is its stability at room temperature. At room temperature, the sweet sorghum juice could lose from 40% to 50% of its fermentable sugars from 7 to 14 days No significant sugar content and profile changes were observed in juice stored at refrigerator temperature in two weeks. Ethanol fermentation efficiencies of fresh and frozen juice were high （-93%）. Concentrated juice （≥25% sugar） had significantly lower efficiencies and large amounts of fructose left in finished beer; however, winery yeast strains and novel fermentation techniques may solve these problems. The ethanol yield from sorghum grain increased as starch content increased. No linear relationship between starch content and fermentation efficiency was found. Key factors affecting the ethanol fermentation efficiency of sorghum include starches and protein digestibility, amylose-lipid complexes, tannin content, and mash viscosity. Life cycle analysis showed a positive net energy value （NEV） = 25 500 Btu/gal ethanol. Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction （XRD） were used to determine changes in the structure and chemical composition of sorghum biomasses. Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment was effective in removing the hemicellulose from biomasses and exposing the cellulose for enzymatic hydrolysis. Forage sorghum lignin had a lower syringyl/guaiacyl ratio and its pretreated biomass was easier to hydrolyze. Up to 72% hexose yield and 94% pentose yield were obtained by using a modified steam explosion with 2% sulfuric acid at 140℃ for 30 min and enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulase.

Allocation of Energy Use in the Biomass-based Fuel Ethanol System and Its Use in Decision Making

The Chinese government is developing biomass ethanol as one of its automobile fuels for energy security and environmental improvement reasons. The energy efficiency of the biomass-based fuel ethanol is critical issue. To investigate the energy use in the three biomass-base ethanol fuel systems, energy content approach, Market value approach and Product displacement approach methods were used to allocate the energy use based on life cycle energy assessment. The results shows that the net energy of corn based, wheat based, and cassava-based ethanol fuel are 12543MJ, 10299MJ and 13112MJ when get one ton biomassbased ethanol, respectively, and they do produce positive net energy.

A Novel Approach to Ethanol Fuel Production using Rotary Collection of Forest Debris

In this article, the authors propose the production of ethanol from cellulose as an alternative to oil. Cellulosic-ethanol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a means to prevent forest fires. This liquid dense fuel was selected because it： （1） easily transported and dispensed as a fuel; （2） can be handled by the existing fuel distribution infrastructure; and （3） unlike its commercial competitor, Me-OH （Methanol）, Et-OH （Ethanol）, is edible, thus being biodegradable and nontoxic. Forest residue ethanol is cheaper to produce and more environmentally friendly than other forms of ethanol fuel. Furthermore, forests would have less available ground fuel for fires. The potential decline of forest fires would then reduce the carbon footprint attributed directly to forest fires. In combination with ethanol fuel combustion, carbon emissions can be reduced by more than 70% compared to gasoline combustion. We used GREET （Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation） software to assess the life cycles of different fuel pathways. In conclusion, cellulosic ethanol fuel is clearly an answer to decrease dependency on current oil imports and prevent forest fires.

Comparative Analysis of Gas Emissions from a Vehicle Running on Ethanol and Natural Gas Fuel

It is known that the transport sector has a fundamental importance in the modem society, as the economic development is directly linked to mobility. Over the years, the transport became linked to different environmental problems, which can be detached greenhouse gases emissions in the atmosphere, where in recent decades can be perceived the intensification and targeting of efforts in research and development of new technologies to reduce the levels of greenhouse gases emissions in the atmosphere. In this context, it can be highlighted the modem systems of electronic engine management, new automotive catalysts and the use of renewable fuels which contribute to reducing the environmental impact. This research had, as its purpose, the analysis of fuels characteristics used for testing, comparative analysis of gas emissions from a motor vehicle running on ethanol or natural gas fuels according to NBR 6601 and conducting tests to estimate the maximum catalytic efficiency. For the implementation of trial, a flex vehicle was installed in a chassis dynamometer equipped with a gas analyzer, in order that before the completion of the urban driving cycle, were determined the content of hydrocarbons corrected, carbon monoxide corrected, carbon dioxide and oxygen present in gas emissions from the engine. The research concluded that： the performance analysis for characterization of fuel showed consistent with ANP specifications; after tests performances, it can be stated that natural gas fuel was the fuel which had the highest content of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide corrected, while ethanol had the highest amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen residue present in gas emissions; before a comparative analysis, the vehicle catalyst showed the best performance for reducing the content of hydrocarbon corrected present in exhaustion gases when it worked with natural gas fuel and showed maximum efficiency of 100% to reduce the content of carbon monoxide corrected for both fuels. Before this, it can be stated that the vehicle catalyst showed satisfactory performance, achieving good reduction levels of greenhouse gases emissions.

Vulcan/Pt/Ce Catalysts Prepared by Impregnation Using EDTA for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell,Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell,and Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

A wet chemistry synthesis of Pt-Ce doped catalysts on carbon Vulcan support using an impregnation method with EDTA is presented. The composite catalyst was characterized by XRD, XPS and TEM. The catalytic activity of the prepared material was tested in a direct fuel cell using methanol, ethanol and hydrogen as fuels. The polarization and power curves showed that the Vulcan/Pt/Ce(III) doped catalysts improved the performance of the fuel cells when compared with Vulcan-Pt anode materials.

Hainan to invest 350 million Yuan in fuel ethanol projects

Hainan Yedao (Group) Co. Ltd. plans to invest 350 million Yuan in construction of a fuel ethanol project. With cooperation of a large state-owned petrochemical enter- prise, this project is planned to produce 100 thousand

燃料乙醇技术发展现状及建议

简述了燃料乙醇国内外生产技术概况,包括:以玉米为原料生产燃料乙醇的浓发酵技术,以玉米纤维生产燃料乙醇技术,以小麦、薯类和陈稻谷(糙米)等为原料生产燃料乙醇,以木质纤维素为原料生产燃料乙醇等;并针对燃料乙醇行业发展存在问题,提出建议。

燃料乙醇混合原料发酵技术研究进展

生产燃料乙醇的淀粉质原料受储存周期及运输半径等因素的影响,不同种类原料的价格会因时因地出现较大差别。由于原料在燃料乙醇生产综合成本中占比较大,动态优化原料种类及比例、实时降低综合生产成本的混合原料发酵技术,自然受到了乙醇行业及其科研机构的广泛关注。混合原料发酵技术不仅有助于燃料乙醇行业的良性发展,还可以消化“问题粮”,为原料区域平衡和国储定期轮换提供蓄水池。