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

Ahmad Al-Rousan, Anas Zyadin, Salah Azzam, Mohammed Hiary

National Energy Research Center, Amman, Jordan.
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland.

DOI: 10.4236/jsbs.2013.33030                

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.

Keywords

Synthetic Biodiesel; Olive Cake; Depolymerization; Jordan

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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