ID :
39295
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 16:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/39295
The shortlink copeid
Scientists extract commercially useful chemicals from biodiesel by-products
SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists have developed a high-tech
process to extract commercially viable chemical compounds from a biodiesel
by-product that can help cut costs of making the synthetic fuel, the government
said Wednesday.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said researchers from local universities, the
state-run Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology and GS Caltex Corp.
have successfully made glycerol carbonate (GC) and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP)
from glycerol.
"Using a special catalyst to make the chemicals, scientists have found a way to
effectively reduce biodiesel production costs by 15 percent," a government
official said. He said production cost can be lowered as manufacturers will be
able to sell the by-product chemicals on the market.
The official also said that the extraction process is the first of its kind and
gives the country an edge over foreign rivals currently committed to making
biodiesel fuel.
GC is a new kind of solvent used for industrial and medical purposes that could
replace conventional propylene carbonate, while 3-HP is a water-soluble compound
utilized in the industrial production of various chemicals such as acrylates.
Once the extraction process for the two chemicals is fully optimized for
large-scale production -- which is expected to be completed by 2012 -- biodiesel
manufacturers will be able to churn out 950,000 tons of GC per year, the official
said. That could draw in an estimated 700 billion won (US$542 million), while
production of 3-HP may top 3.6 million tons worth 4.7 trillion won.
The combined global market size of these chemicals could grow to 13 trillion won
by 2016 with South Korean companies expected to grab 3 percent of the total, he
said.
The project, which was supported by 8 billion won in state research funds, is
part of a greater effort by the government to develop new biochemical materials
and fuels to cope with South Korea's large industrial and energy needs.
Public and private enterprises have also started work to make improved
non-petroleum-based diesel fuel made from vegetable oil and animal fat that may
help reduce the country's dependence on imported resources and help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
process to extract commercially viable chemical compounds from a biodiesel
by-product that can help cut costs of making the synthetic fuel, the government
said Wednesday.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said researchers from local universities, the
state-run Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology and GS Caltex Corp.
have successfully made glycerol carbonate (GC) and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP)
from glycerol.
"Using a special catalyst to make the chemicals, scientists have found a way to
effectively reduce biodiesel production costs by 15 percent," a government
official said. He said production cost can be lowered as manufacturers will be
able to sell the by-product chemicals on the market.
The official also said that the extraction process is the first of its kind and
gives the country an edge over foreign rivals currently committed to making
biodiesel fuel.
GC is a new kind of solvent used for industrial and medical purposes that could
replace conventional propylene carbonate, while 3-HP is a water-soluble compound
utilized in the industrial production of various chemicals such as acrylates.
Once the extraction process for the two chemicals is fully optimized for
large-scale production -- which is expected to be completed by 2012 -- biodiesel
manufacturers will be able to churn out 950,000 tons of GC per year, the official
said. That could draw in an estimated 700 billion won (US$542 million), while
production of 3-HP may top 3.6 million tons worth 4.7 trillion won.
The combined global market size of these chemicals could grow to 13 trillion won
by 2016 with South Korean companies expected to grab 3 percent of the total, he
said.
The project, which was supported by 8 billion won in state research funds, is
part of a greater effort by the government to develop new biochemical materials
and fuels to cope with South Korea's large industrial and energy needs.
Public and private enterprises have also started work to make improved
non-petroleum-based diesel fuel made from vegetable oil and animal fat that may
help reduce the country's dependence on imported resources and help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
