Assessment of second generation biodiesel production by treatment of fatty acid methyl esters with a hydrogen rich gas.

The properties of biodiesel depend on the chemical structure of individual fatty acid methyl esters. In this the chemical structure of fatty acid chains was modified by high-pressure, high temperature treatment with a hydrogen rich gas, obtained through the alkaline electrolysis of water, in the presence of Pt as a catalyst. The effect consists in the breaking of the long unsaturated carbon chain of fatty acids methyl esters with the forming of new more volatile compounds, with a shorter and more saturated carbon chain. The hydrogen rich gas presents real applicability in the production of second generation biofuels, but a strict kinetic control and the use of catalyst with high specificity is recommended.