Design and Application of a High Pressure Microwave Drop-In Biofuel Reactor System

The conversion of low value lipids, including tall oil, brown grease, and yellow grease, to hydrocarbons without the use of hydrogen or catalyst has been patented and scaled up by our group (Forge Hydrocarbons). This project seeks to develop an improvement to the existing process by incorporating microwave heating to the reactor configuration. The process is expected to help reduce the acid number and improve the process economics by decreasing the undesirable side reaction leading to coke formation. Through the optimization of the new reactor, and in collaboration with Forge staff, the new technology will be used in ongoing scale-up.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Bressler

Student:

Justice Asomaning

Partner:

Forge Hydrocarbons Inc.

Discipline:

Food science

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

University of Alberta