New functional adsorbent materials have been designed and applied for refinement of biodiesel. Biodiesel is an alternative, renewable fuel produced by transesterification of animal and vegetable fats or oils with alcohols. Multiple washing steps are common during processing to remove impurities and contaminants, generating aqueous waste and contributing to increased cost of the biofuel. Alternatively, solid-phase extraction may be used to reduce waste and processing time. Nanoporous hybrid organosilicas were synthesized and investigated for adsorption of glycerol, a side product of biodiesel production that is problematic for engine durability and emissions. The compositions of the hybrid pore walls were varied and functionalized to promote interactions with glycerol. Accessible surface area and degree of functionalization were beneficial to the performance of materials. Optimal materials significantly out-performed commercial dry wash media products in adsorption of glycerol from biodiesel samples. The new sorbents also demonstrated potential for removal of other targets of interest to biodiesel processing.

Nanoporous sorbents for improved purification of biodiesel

254th National Meeting (2017)

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