Synthesis of Biofuels

As an alternative for the conventional fuel production from crude oil, fuels from renewable resources (biofuels) gain considerable importance. While for first generation biofuels only certain parts of sugar, starch of oil containing plants are used, it is possible to use the total vegetable biomass for second generation biofuels, including biogenic residual and waste materials. Biodiesel is a first generation biofuel and is gained in a conventional process by transesterification of vegetable oil with methanol at standard pressure and temperatures between 55 und 80 °C. This process is comparatively slow and the reaction times usually take up to four hours. We have developed a process which shortens this to a time demand between half a minute and five minutes. The key technology is the catalyst which is applied in solid form as a layer on a metallic carrier and thus, does not have to be separated later in the process.

 „We increase the flexibility of your plants for fuel synthesis“

Synthesis gas, a mixture consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, serves as starting point for the value chain of a substantial part of second generation biofuels. For this purpose, the biomass initially is split up into solid, liquid and gaseous fractions in a pyrolysis process. Especially from the liquid, organic fraction the required synthesis gas can be produced via reforming reactions. In the scope of a project dealing with the realization of integrated bio refinery concepts we are currently developing a process for the production of synthesis gas from pyrolysis oil and biogas via autothermal reforming. Our objective is the demonstration of feasibility as well as the further conversion of the synthesis gas with the help of a miniplant.

With a view to the further conversion of the synthesis gas into biofuels:

• Production of hydrogen by conversion of carbon monoxide via watergas-shift and selective oxidation,

For the production of hydrogen, e.g. for the power generation in fuel cells:

• Development of highly active and efficient catalysts,
• for water-gas-shift and selective oxidation of carbon monoxide: deposition of these catalysts preferably into plate heat exchanger reactors,
• configuration of specific temperature profiles which allow to intensify the aforementioned reactions and simultaneously improve the heat integration primarily of decentralized plants.

For the synthesis of methanol and higher alcohols from synthesis gas we use copper/zinc or zinc/chromium catalysts.

For the gasoline synthesis:

• Conversion of methanol into a mixture of hydrocarbons of the gasoline fraction, preferentially in presence of zeolitic catalysts,
• Owing to the high demands on the heat management due to the very exothermical reaction process  the precise control of the reaction temperature through our reactor technology with integrated heat exchanging functions.

This route of synthesis gas utilization we put in the focus of a miniplant which we are presently constructing in a mobile container environment.  

Regardless if you want to intensify your existing process or you are planning to use biofuels for the first time, together we will develop the optimal solution for you.