Vineyard Pruning Extracts as Natural Antioxidants for Biodiesel Stability: Experimental Tests and Preliminary Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

The control of the oxidative stability of biodiesel and blends of biodiesel with diesel is one of the major concerns of the biofuel industry. The oxidative degradation of biodiesel can be accelerated by several factors, and this is most critical in the so-called second generation biodiesel, which is produced from low-cost raw materials with lower environmental impacts. The addition of antioxidants is imperative to ensure the oxidative stability of biodiesel, and these are considered products of high commercial value. The antioxidants currently available on the market are from synthetic origin, so the existence/availability of alternative antioxidants of natural origin (less dependent on fossil sources) at a competitive price presents itself as a strong business opportunity. This work describes and characterizes a sustainable alternative to synthetic antioxidants used in the biodiesel market developed from extracts of vineyard pruning waste (VPW), which are naturally rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. A hydrothermal extraction process was applied as a more efficient and sustainable technology than the conventional one with the potential of the extracts as antioxidant additives in biodiesel evaluated in Rancitech equipment. The VPW extract showed comparable antioxidant activity as the commercial antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) typically used in biodiesel. The stability of the biodiesel is dependent from the amount of the extract added. Further, for the first time, the assessment of the environmental impacts of using natural extracts to control the oxidative stability of biodiesel in the production process is also discussed as a key factor of the process environmental sustainability.

Methyl Methacrylate Production Processes: A Comparative Analysis of Alternatives Using the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology

“…The LCA methodology has been utilized for similar studies evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with industrial chemical production and comparing the different production approaches based on their level of impacts. Mostly all the sectors are covered: fossil-based industry, , biobased fuels and chemicals, − pharmaceuticals, and the synthesis of new catalytic system from earth-abundant metals. − Studies presented above, along with several others, established the suitability of the LCA methodology for pinpointing areas where different approaches to the production of chemical compounds excel in terms of environmental performance and the possible areas where process improvement efforts should be concentrated to drive significant environmental gains.…”

The Potential of Underutilized Plant Resources and Agricultural Wastes for Enhancing Biodiesel Stability: The Role of Phenolic-Rich Natural Antioxidants

“…Antioxidants are commonly added to biodiesel to prevent oxidation and increase its shelf life. Research has shown that the addition of natural antioxidants to biodiesel can significantly increase its induction period and improve its storage characteristics [189]. For example, the induction period of the Jatropha biodiesellemongrass oil binary blend was increased by adding antioxidants extracted from peas, coffee, sweet basil, horse gram, and sesame to 4.10, 7.10, 7.74, 8.10, and 9.92 h, respectively, in comparison to the binary blend without antioxidants, in which the induction period was only 2.06 h, as shown in Table 17 [190].…”

“…(a) Changes in peroxide value (PV) of biodiesel doped with antioxidants[189]. (b) Changes of acid values (AV) of biodiesel doped with antioxidants[189].…”

“…(a) Changes in peroxide value (PV) of biodiesel doped with antioxidants[189]. (b) Changes of acid values (AV) of biodiesel doped with antioxidants[189]. (c) Changes in viscosity of biodiesel doped with antioxidants[189].…”