An innovative reactor for biofuel production has been developed at Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU). The novelty is resistant to aggressive chemical environments compared to analogues. This was reported in the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.
The "heart" of the nanomenbrane reactor is a semi-permeable polymer membrane made by multi-channel electroforming from a domestic polymer material, a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with tetrafluoroethylene — a polymer with excellent chemical resistance to mineral oils, acids and alkalis. The special structure of the pore space of the reactor, which is a system of interconnected pores, makes it possible to significantly improve separation and filtration processes in the preparation of fuel.
The reactor can withstand temperatures up to 150-170 °C. The membranes of the new device can be used in bioreactors for fermentation, micro- and ultrafiltration, water purification and separation of bioproducts.
In the future, such nanomenbrane reactors can be used in the processing of organic waste into biofuel. The use of a nanomenbrane reactor will also reduce the total fuel preparation time to 1.5 hours instead of three.
During the verification of the new reactor, specialists measured the viscosity, density, cetane number and flash point of the product. All characteristics of the samples fully comply with the requirements of GOST R 53605-2009 (imposed on methyl esters of fatty acids used as biofuel for diesel engines).
Earlier www1.ru reported that the walls of ITER will be made of tungsten instead of beryllium.
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