Newcastle University

Project:

Direct Production of Biodiesel from Non-edible Oilseeds by Reactive Extraction

From April 2008 to March 2011
Project Leader(s): Dr. Adam Harvey
Staff: Dr. Jon Lee
Contact: Dr. Adam Harvey
Sponsors: UKIERI
Partners: Indian institute of Petroleum, Dehra Dun, India

The aim of this project is to increase the efficiency of biodiesel production by developing an integrated process combining the extraction of non-edible vegetable oil (such as jatropha and pongamia) from oilseeds with reaction of that oil to biodiesel in a one-step “reactive extraction” process. This should facilitate distributed production of biodiesel, principally by oilseed farmers, who the technology would enable to produce biodiesel on-site. The technology will be suitable for use in developing countries, where it can compensate for poor supply of fossil fuel-derived transport fuels, particularly in remote communities.

Collaborative project with IIP in India. It will involve substantial movement of people between the two institutions. In particular PhD students will be hosted on an exchange basis.