Removal of dibenzothiophene sulfone (DBTS) from fuel onto chitosan-coated bentonite (CCB) was investigated using a fixed-bed column system. The experiments were carried out as a function of flow rate, particle size, and initial feed of DBTS concentration. The bed adsorption capacities were found to increase with the decreasing flow rate and particle size. Maximum bed adsorption capacities for the various flow rates were found to be 4.30, 3.09, and 2.44 mg DBTS/g CCB at 1, 5, and 10 mL/min, respectively. When the initial DBTS concentration was increased from 500 to 1,000 mg/L, the corresponding adsorption bed capacity appears to increase from 4.31 to 5.55 mg/g. Spectra studies showed possible involvement of hydroxyl groups in the biosorption. The Thomas model was used to predict the breakthrough curves under varying experimental conditions. Results indicate a good agreement between the experimental data and predicted breakthrough curves generated by the Thomas model.

Levulinic acid (LA) is a platform biorefinery chemical from biomass which can be converted to green solvents, plasticizers, polymer precursors, bio-based cleaning agents, fuels and fuel additives. This study assessed the potential of SnCl2-based mixed acid systems as catalyst in the hydrothermal conversion of microcrystalline cellulose to levulinic acid. Maximum LA yield of 36.2 mol% was achieved using 0.2 M SnCl2 concentration at test conditions of 3 h, 180°C and 1% w/v cellulose loading. To reduce precipitate formation and further improve LA yield, the strategy employed was to combine SnCl2 (a Lewis acid) with conventional mineral acids (Bronsted acids). Evaluation of the catalytic performance of SnCl2-HCl, SnCl2-H2SO4, SnCl2-HNO3, and SnCl2-H3PO4 (1:1 molar ratio, 0.2 M total acid concentration) were done with highest LA yield of 47.0 mol% obtained using the SnCl2-HCl system at same test conditions. Response surface methodology optimization employing Box-Behnken design generated a quadratic model with a high coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.964. A maximum LA yield of 63.5 mol% can be achieved at 0.17 M catalyst concentration, 198°C, and 5.15 h reaction time. Rate constants were estimated using nonlinear regression, while activation energies were determined using Arrhenius equation. Cellulose hydrolysis was determined to be the rate-limiting step in the overall process. Low activation energy of 63.3 kJ/mol for glucose dehydration to hydroxymethylfurfural supports the action of SnCl2 as Lewis acid in the mixed-acid system. LA yield simulations for plug flow reactor (PFR) and continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) were done suggesting a similar PFR-CSTR configuration with the established Biofine process. Lastly, a reaction scheme was presented to explain the synergy between SnCl2 and HCl in LA production from cellulose.

This study examines the effects of transitioning to hydrogen production in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Palawan Province, Philippines, focusing on technology, environment, and stakeholder impact. This research, conducted through a July 2022 survey, aimed to assess public awareness, knowledge, risk perception, and acceptance of hydrogen and its environmentally friendly variant, green hydrogen, infrastructure. Disparities were found between urban NCR and rural Palawan, with lower awareness in Palawan. Safety concerns were highlighted, with NCR respondents generally considering hydrogen production safe, while Palawan respondents had mixed feelings, particularly regarding nuclear-based hydrogen generation. This report emphasizes the potential ecological advantages of hydrogen technology but highlights potential issues concerning water usage and land impacts. It suggests targeted public awareness campaigns, robust safety assurance programs, regional pilot projects, and integrated environmental plans to facilitate the seamless integration of hydrogen technology into the Philippines’ energy portfolio. This collective effort aims to help the country meet climate action obligations, foster sustainable development, and enhance energy resilience.

A fungus capable of producing ethanol from various carbon substrates was screened for direct ethanol production from lignocellulose. Fusarium moniliforme BIOTECH 3170 produced ethanol from glucose, xylose, and cellobiose after three days with theoretical yields of 86.4%, 68.6%, and 45.4%, respectively. The coculture of glucose and xylose progressed sequentially at 79.2% of the theoretical yield, with both sugars completely consumed in five days. The solid-state consolidated bioprocessing of cellulose produced 25.2 g/L of ethanol after 20 days. After 28 days of the integrated biodelignification and consolidated bioprocessing of Napier grass at solid-state conditions, up to 10.5 g/L of ethanol was produced, corresponding to an ethanol yield of 0.032 g/g biomass. Given a sufficient carbon source, the screened fungus could produce up to 42.06 g/L ethanol. F. moniliforme BIOTECH 3170 demonstrated the characteristics of a fungus for potential ethanol production from cellulose, mixed sugars, and lignocellulosic materials.