Title: ZnO nanoparticle catalysts for use in biodiesel production and method of making

Abstract

A method of forming a biodiesel product and a heterogeneous catalyst system used to form said product that has a high tolerance for the presence of water and free fatty acids (FFA) in the oil feedstock is disclosed. This catalyst system may simultaneously catalyze both the esterification of FAA and the transesterification of triglycerides present in the oil feedstock. The catalyst system is comprised of a mixture of zinc oxide and a second metal oxide. The zinc oxide includes a mixture of amorphous zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanocrystals, the zinc nanocrystals having a mean grain size between about 20 and 80 nanometers with at least one of the nanocrystals including a mesopore having a diameter of about 5 to 15 nanometers. Preferably, the second metal oxide is a lanthanum oxide, the lanthanum oxide being selected as one from the group of La.sub.2CO.sub.5, LaOOH, and combinations or mixtures thereof.

Inventors:

Yan, Shuli; Salley, Steven O; Ng, K. Y. Simon

Issue Date:

Tue Nov 25 00:00:00 EST 2014

Research Org.:

Wayne State Univ., Detroit, MI (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1164365

Patent Number(s):

8895764

Application Number:

12/485,433

Assignee:

Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10L - FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

B01J23/06 - of zinc, cadmium or mercury
B01J23/10 - of rare earths
B01J35/002 - {Catalysts characterised by their physical properties}
B01J35/006 - {metal crystallite size}
B01J35/023 - {Catalysts characterised by dimensions, e.g. grain size}
B01J37/031 - {Precipitation}
B01J37/08 - Heat treatment {

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10L - FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

C10L1/026 - {for compression ignition}

C - CHEMISTRY C11 - ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES C11C - FATTY ACIDS FROM FATS, OILS OR WAXES

C11C3/003 - {by esterification of fatty acids with alcohols

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E50/10 - Biofuels

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG36-05G085005

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2009 Jun 16

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

09 BIOMASS FUELS; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY