Catalytic Conversion of Biomass and Waste Oils to Biofuels and Chemicals
This community focuses on the chemical transformation of plant-based materials and waste oils into liquid fuels and industrial chemicals, primarily using heterogeneous catalysts to improve efficiency and selectivity.
The work centers on the production of biodiesel from feedstocks such as palm oil, seed oils, and waste cooking oil, often employing solid acid catalysts and ionic liquids. A significant portion of the research addresses the removal of sulfur from heavy oils and gasoil through oxidative desulfurization, utilizing activated carbon and metal oxide catalysts. Additionally, the community investigates the catalytic pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass to produce bio-oil, levulinic acid, and furfuryl alcohol. Methods frequently involve the optimization of heterogeneous catalysts, including tungsten carbide and supported oxides, to facilitate selective hydrogenation and the conversion of lignin derivatives into value-added products.
The largest share of the community's output is found in molybdenum research, accounting for 3.2% of all molybdenum research, and 2,370 papers here. Sulfur research also features prominently, with 2,317 papers representing 2.5% of that element's tracked literature.
The community comprises 32,811 papers, published most frequently in Fuel, Journal of Catalysis, and Catalysis Today.
Recent work continues to focus on the pretreatment and catalytic upgrading of lignocellulosic biomass for pyrolysis, the development of novel heterogeneous catalysts for renewable energy production, and the optimization of desulfurization technologies for low-sulfur diesel.