Heterogeneous Catalytic Conversion of Terpenes into Biofuels: An Open Pathway to Sustainable Fuels

Magín Lapuerta, Indira Tobío-Pérez, Marianela Ortiz-Alvarez, David Donoso, Laureano Canoira and Ramón Piloto-Rodríguez ()
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Magín Lapuerta: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Indira Tobío-Pérez: Center for the Study of Renewable Energies, Universidad Tecnológica de La Habana “José A. Echeverría”, La Habana 19390, Cuba
Marianela Ortiz-Alvarez: Institute of Basic Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de La Habana “José A. Echeverría”, La Habana 19390, Cuba
David Donoso: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Laureano Canoira: Tecminergy, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28031 Madrid, Spain
Ramón Piloto-Rodríguez: Center for the Study of Renewable Energies, Universidad Tecnológica de La Habana “José A. Echeverría”, La Habana 19390, Cuba

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-24

Abstract: The production and use of terpene-based fuels represents a renewable source of energy in the transportation sector, especially in the aviation sector. The literature on the conversion of terpenes into valuable compounds is not new but has been based on the production of products for cosmetics and pharmaceutics. Several established chemical routes are also a way to develop drop-in fuels. The present work explores all the main chemical processes that can transform terpenes into more valuable fuels or additives, focusing on the use of heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst type, operating conditions, and reaction performance. α -pinene is the most studied catalyst, since it is the main component of turpentine. Isomerization is the most frequently applied chemical pathway used to enhance fuel properties, and a wide group of heterogeneous catalysts have been reported, with sulphonic acid resin catalysts, transition metals, alumina, and silicates being the most used. This work also explores the current production and commercialization of terpenes, as well as the challenges for their use as fuels at a commercial scale. The future challenge is to discover new catalysts or to improve the performance of the current products and reduce production costs. The feasibility of the production and commercialization of terpene-derived fuels is also linked to oil prices.

Keywords: terpenes; terpenoids; biofuels; heterogeneous catalysis; drop-in fuels (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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