New Delhi, June 23 (KNN) CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun has developed micro-channel reactors with stable catalyst coating formulations to intensify the processes of producing biofuel involving vegetable oil. This will improve the product yield and conversion in hydroprocessing of vegetable oils.

The micro-channel reactors convert non-edible oil and biomass-derived oil (pyrolysis-oil), biomass-derived gases (syn-gas) and coal derived gasses (coal gasification to syn-gas) into second and third generation biofuel.

These are better than the conventional (fixed bed tubular reactors) reactors in terms of: hydrodynamics and heat and mass transfer. Due to better hydrodynamics, the wall effect channelling in micro-channel reactors is zero.

Moreover, the high surface-to-volume ratio provides better heat control, which in turn ensures proper product distribution. The catalyst used in a micro-channel reactor is either coated on the wall or packed inside the channel.

The amount of material required for micro-channel reactor, the catalyst cost and the operating cost are far less than that in case of conventional reactors.

Utilizing these micro-channels for hydro-conversion of long chain hydrocarbons to transportation fuels is another area of development for small scale process viable near the source of the raw material.

At CSIR-IIP, process intensification for hydroprocessing of vegetable oils was achieved using micro-channel and monolithic reactors with a thin layer of catalyst coating. Use of such reactors resulted in improved reaction selectivity and throughput. (KNN Bureau)