Q & A > Alternative Fuels
Date  Replies
05/03/2020 Q: I am working on a process for aviation fuel and gasoline production from biomass gasification via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using cobalt based catalyst.

I would like some insights on how to convert the Fischer-Tropsch wax (C5-C40 both paraffins and olefins) to Aviation fuel and Gasoline. Do we need to use both hydrotreating and hydrocracking? Will it be different compared to gas-oil hydrotreating? 		(3)
18/12/2018 Q: I saw an answer in Q&A, that portable electric desalters will screen the demulsifiers. I would like to screen some of my demulsifiers using portable electric desalter (PED). Can anyone suggest the suppliers of PED? it would be a great help. (3)
30/11/2017 Q: How would you design a reformer used in production of hydrogen from used oil? (1)
14/11/2015 Q: What could be the causes of sudden drop in conductivity of Jet fuel in a storage tank?? (2)
13/05/2012 Q: Basic differences between AFQRJOS Issue 25 v Issue 26 may please be explained. (1)
10/04/2012 Q: When you have a scenario of low sulfur diesel (50 ppm), what is the impact of Diesel viscosity at 40°C on vehicle emissions? (1)
27/10/2011 Q: I am a student of the energy operations class st Lake Area Tech. Our goal is to improve the purity of our ethanol from 95% to a much higher purity. We are using a 2in x 60in copper pipe instead of the 5in x 17in steel pipe for our distillation column, and trying to pack it with Raschig rings instead of the marbles the last class used.
1. I am having trouble determining the packing height needed, or the amount of Raschig rings that need to be used. (The volume of the tower is roughly 4 Liters)
2. Does there need to be empty space in between the rings or should they be just dumped in randomly?
3. Where in the column should the reflux outlet be placed for maximum return to the base of the still?
Any answer to any question would be GREATLY appreciated! Keep in mind I am not a chemical engineer, but I am familiar with most of the theories and some of the math such as HETP, plates vs packing, random vs structured and so on. 		(1)
06/08/2008 Q: Non Edible Vegetable oils contains metals like Ca, Mg, Si, Fe , P etc. and these vary from oil to oil and in ranges from 100 to 500 ppm.
We are looking for a process which can remove these metals to a level of <10 ppm. In addition the process should also work towards degumming of the oil. 		(2)
01/08/2008 Q: How can I design sizing of a jet mixer? what are the factors that determine its efficiency? Can a jet mixer also operate with Nitrogen? And how to calculate the consumption of Nitrogen? Is it better than conventional mechanical agitators for highly viscous fluids with congealing nature? (1)
22/01/2008 Q: How much does it cost a refinery and/or petrochemical plant to produce 1 (one) tonne of CO2? I have worked out how much CO2 is produced per barrel of oil, for example, but now want to put a monetary value (or indeed an energy value) on to that tonnage of CO2. Thanks.  
18/01/2008 Q: Glycerol is produced as by product in the Transesterification process for Biodiesel. Please give your views on the following:
1. What are the present practices for handling this glycerol?
2. Glycerol can be converted to Hydrogen. Have processes and catalysts been developed?
3. Does the above process for Glycerol to Hydrogen require any treatment of glycerol.
4. Any views/suggestions on the handling of glycerol? 		(2)
21/12/2007 Q: Is there any pilot plant scale-up data available WRT conversion of recalcitrant fibrous biomass materials into "reasonable" quality biocrudes? Do FCC or hydrotreating catalysts suppliers have any specific concerns WRT feeding small amounts of biocrudes into FCCUs or hydrotreaters? (1)
24/10/2007 Q: How do you measure the CO2 emissions from your plant and can you specify the CO2 emissions from individual pieces of equipment? (2)
08/10/2007 Q: What technical steps can be taken to reduce ethanol production costs? (1)
05/09/2007 Q: Many concerns are being raised about ethanol and other biofuels because of the high amount of energy required for successful fuels synthesis. Some reports suggest that more energy (from natural gas or electricity) is required than is contained in the product fuel. Can you point to definitive papers on this issue?  
05/09/2007 Q: How can we improve fluidizing in a stand pipe regenerator FCC? (1)
05/09/2007 Q: Who is suppling continuous process for Bio-Diesel plant? (3)
23/08/2007 Q: What instrumentation and related analytical systems are available
to ensure that high-volume biofuels production conforms to regulatory specifications in markets such as Europe and North America? 		(1)
31/07/2007 Q: Who are the catalyst manufacturers for the process of Hydrogenation of Vegetable oils ? What precautions should be taken while handling and processing vegetable oils? (4)