Study of product quality, performance and HVO emission parameters produced from the hydrotreatment process of vegetable oils from different biomass sources.

• Grant number: 25/06455-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Fernando Costa Marques
• Grantee: Álvaro Guimarães Braz
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/01953-3 - Materials applied to transformation of biomass in green diesel: from laboratory to pilot, AP.BIOEN.TEM

Abstract

The project associated with this scholarship request is characterized by its interdisciplinarity and the strong interaction of researchers from different ICTs across the country, with the goal of developing a drop-in biofuel, using vegetable oils (both fresh and residual) as raw material. The aim is to develop a renewable fuel for compression engines, utilizing different heterogeneous catalysts and technological routes based on the hydroprocessing process. In this context, evaluating the physicochemical parameters of the formulated products, as well as their mechanical and environmental performance, is crucial for the success of the project. Considering the specificities of the different strategies in the hydroprocessing route of vegetable oils (fresh and/or residual) and/or fatty acids from biomass, it is possible to obtain reaction products with distinct physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance that certain properties be monitored in order to assess quality parameters and their trends based on processing parameters and the sources of raw materials used. To achieve this, evaluating their physicochemical properties is essential for the development of a new drop-in biofuel produced through the hydroprocessing system. Thus, the scholarship holder will carry out activities related to the preparation of different formulations of HVO/diesel oil/biodiesel, conduct laboratory tests, and analyze the quality parameters of the products, using the relevant specifications established by the regulatory body, always following the protocols set by technical standards. Additionally, the scholarship holder will support the establishment of physicochemical testing methodologies for HVO and its diesel oil/biodiesel mixtures, as well as assist the executing team in studies related to the production and refining of bioderived hydrocarbons from the hydroprocessing process, particularly for evaluating their performance and emissions in compression ignition engines, such as a research single-cylinder engine coupled to a dynamometer. (AU)