Prospects of Synthetic Biodiesel Production from Various Bio-Wastes in Jordan

Abstract

The main objectives of this technical experiment are to quantify the amount of various bio-wastes available for the bioenergy development in Jordan and investigate the prospects of biodiesel potentials from such bio-wastes using catalytic depolymerization technology developed in the German company ALPHAKAT. The quantification process revealed substantial quantities of bio-wastes originated from various sectors such as dairy and poultry farms, by-products of wastewater treatment plants, and agriculture by-products. The results show that olive cake provides the highest potential for biodiesel production with a ratio of 39%. Chemical analysis showed varying levels of sulfur contents, which required desulfurization unit to produce standard quality biodiesel. Chemical analysis also showed high phosphorus content, which provided another economic opportunity to use the biodiesel by-products as a fertilizer. The statistical correlation test showed a strong linear correlation between the percentage of organic content and caloric value and biodiesel output. The study also unveiled that the C:H ratio is strongly correlated with the biodiesel production model. The regression analysis generated a model for biodiesel production, which can be used to evaluate the biodiesel production based on the net dry biomass and C:H ratio in the substrate. Based on the model, the study estimated the potential of biodiesel from olive cake to reach up to 4 million liters annually. Policymakers and involved governmental institutes are advised to develop new regulations and laws to increase the share of bioenergy in the primary energy mix through attracting co-public investments accompanied by supportive economic tools such as starter loans, tax exemptions, and feedin-tariffs. Further research is needed to quantify other sources of bio-wastes such as cooking-oil wastes.

A Technical Experiment on Biogas Production from Small-Scale Dairy Farm

“…On the other hand, the staggering high prices of fossil fuels accompanied by perplexing geopolitical conflicts threaten the economic and political stability of many oil-poor countries and threaten the livelihoods of vulnerable poor people. To that end, the endeavor toward utilizing local bio-wastes resources, particularly from otherwise landfilled biowastes resources, is fundamental to considerably reduce dependence on fossil fuels, boost economy, and a strategy to revitalize rural communities [2] [3].…”

“…Consequently, the Arab governments are urgently looking for innovative solutions to the critical issues around sustainable waste management. In this context, utilizing and fermenting the almostfree-to-take biowastes from small to large scale dairy cow farms is a win-win approach: it is economically attractive through valorization of wastes and providing part of the daily energy needs and environmentally friendly through reducing the harmful methane emissions and avoiding public health risks from the accumulation of wastes nearby residential areas [2] [4] [6].…”

“…In Jordan, substantial quantities of biowastes from various sectors exists however largely underutilized [2]. Further assessments of biowastes were conducted to scrutinize the economic feasibility of biogas production 1 [11].…”

“…Nonetheless, there is a considerable potential for producing biogas from municipal solid wastes, olive cake, sludge, and animal manure especially from dairy cow and poultry manure [2] [14]. Besides the lack of explicit legislations and economic incentives to utilize such resources, poor knowledge and awareness among farmers is one key obstacle to develop biogas industry in Jordan.…”

Conversion of Solid Waste to Diesel via Catalytic Pressureless Depolymerization: Pilot Scale Production and Detailed Compositional Characterization

“…Finally, a plausible range yield of asphalt-like residue is calculated by repeating the aforementioned analysis for two different feedstocks (olive cake and poultry manure) processed in the same CPD pilot plant for which experimental fuel yields are available. 11 The mass balance analysis reveals that, on a dry feedstock basis, the yield of CPD fuel from SRF-DW is 1.4 times higher than that of CPD fuel from SRF-MW. Likewise, the yield of CPD fuel is inversely proportional to the yield of asphalt-like residue for both, the studied and the cited cases as can be seen from Figure…”