[PBN] Scientists Purify Biodiesel Made From Vegetable Oils

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070805130655.htm

Science Daily — A group of Chemists from the University of Leicester
have developed a way of purifying biodiesel made from vegetable oils,
which is cheap, simple and low in toxicity.

The team, led by Professor Andrew Abbott is able to remove glycerol, the
main by-product of vegetable oil-based biodiesel, using ionic liquids
made in part by vitamin B4 (choline chloride).

If left in biodiesel, glycerol (a syrupy sugar alcohol) would damage
engines but this technique simply washes it out of the fuel. The ionic
liquid developed by Professor Abbott uses a complex of choline chloride
with glycerol to extract more glycerol out of the biodiesel.

The Leicester process is greener than traditional processes and
effectively provides a sustainable methodology for the purification of
biodiesel without the production of significant waste.

Professor Abbott commented: "We hope that further research will optimise
the ionic liquid recycling and recovery of the glycerol. We are hoping
to collaborate with a biodiesel producer to test this technology further."

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by
University of Leicester.

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