Browsing by Author "Awogbemi, Omojola"

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    Advances in biotechnological applications of waste cooking oil
    (Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 2021-10-31) Awogbemi, Omojola; Von Kallon, Daramy Vandi; Aigbodion, Victor Sunday
    Waste cooking oil (WCO) is generated when edible vegetable oil is used for frying food items. Inappropriate disposal of WCO exacerbates environmental pollution, block drains and contaminates terrestrial and aquatic habitats while its consumption deleteriously impacts human and animal health. In this review, the current efforts into the biotechnological conversion and applications of WCO as feedstock for biofuel, bisabolene, biolubricants, liquid detergents, dishwashing soap and aromatherapy candle, plasticizer, polyurethane foam, surfactants, asphalt rejuvenator are discussed. Aspects related to the global scenario of WCO generation, their physico-chemical properties and avenues of their utilization are also presented. These applications ensure appropriate utilization of WCO as valuable household commodities and industrial products. More investigations are needed for the deployment of WCO for the production of valuable products and to promote circular economy.
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    An Overview of the Classification, Production and Utilization of Biofuels for Internal Combustion Engine Applications
    (Energies, 2021-09-09) Awogbemi, Omojola; Von Kallon, Daramy Vandi; Onuh, Emmanuel Idoko
    Biofuel, a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally benign fuel produced from renewable sources, has been accepted as a sustainable replacement and a panacea for the damaging effects of the exploration for and consumption of fossil-based fuels. The current work examines the classification, generation, and utilization of biofuels, particularly in internal combustion engine (ICE) applications. Biofuels are classified according to their physical state, technology maturity, the generation of feedstock, and the generation of products. The methods of production and the advantages of the application of biogas, bioalcohol, and hydrogen in spark ignition engines, as well as biodiesel, Fischer– Tropsch fuel, and dimethyl ether in compression ignition engines, in terms of engine performance and emission are highlighted. The generation of biofuels from waste helps in waste minimization, proper waste disposal, and sanitation. The utilization of biofuels in ICEs improves engine performance and mitigates the emission of poisonous gases. There is a need for appropriate policy frameworks to promote commercial production and seamless deployment of these biofuels for transportation applications with a view to guaranteeing energy security.
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    rends in the development and utilization of agricultural wastes as heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production,
    (Journal of the Energy Institute, 2021) Awogbemi, Omojola; Von Kallon, Daramy Vandi; Aigbodion, Victor Sunday
    Biodiesel is unarguably one of the most considered substitutes for fossil-based liquid fuels. However, the high cost of biodiesel production has been a major inhibitor for its large-scale activity. Apart from the cost of feedstock, catalysts contribute to the high pump price of biodiesel. Wastes derived from agricultural sources have been seen as viable means of synthesizing cost-effective and environmentally friendly catalysts and is an appropriate disposal of wastes. In this study recent trends in converting and utilizing agricultural wastes as heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production were reviewed. Agricultural wastes classifications, types of catalysts for biodiesel production, and the effects of conversion and modification techniques on pore size, acidity, surface area, and other fingerprints that enhance the catalytic activity were discussed. The use of characterization methods to test the suitability of solid catalysts was analysed, and some published works on the use of some agricultural wastes-derived catalysts were scrutinized. The paper concludes that catalysts derived from agricultural wastes offer a cheap, readily available, easy to produce, and environmentally benign replacement for the imported commercial ones. Going forward, more target investigations are needed on the suitability of some unexplored agricultural wastes to convert them to green catalysts. Researchers should explore the use of optimization models and statistical tools to determine the appropriate conditions for effective performance of biofuels.