Biofuels co-organised by the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ), the Chemical Society of Japan (CSJ) and the RSC

Scientific Committee: 

Alejandra Palermo, Royal Society of Chemistry, UK (Convener)

Philip Earis, Royal Society of Chemistry, UK

Tom Lynch, UK

Vanderlan Bolzani, President, Brazilian Chemical Society, Brazil

Teruto Ohta, Executive Director of the Chemical Society of Japan

Programme:

Thursday 6 August (morning and afternoon)

Keynote Speakers

Biofuel, food and materials production: synergy rather than conflict
Fernando Galembeck, University of Campinas, Brazil

Hydrogen production by the hyperthermophile, Thermococcus kodakaraensis
Tadayuki Imanaka, Ritsumeikan University, Japan

Assessing the sustainability of biofuel supply chains
Jeremy Woods, Imperial College, London, UK

Speakers

Bioethanol research in Japan
Shuichi Mihashi, Nippon Oil Corporation, Japan

Biofuels from glycerine
Claudio J.A. Mota, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Current trends in biodiesel production using heterogeneous catalysts
Luiz P. Ramos, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil

Preparation of sulfonated allophanes and their application in the hydrolysis of polysaccharides
Shogo Shimazu, Chiba University, Japan

Latest developments in advanced biofuels
Jeremy Tomkinson, The National Non-Food Crops Centre, UK

Current developments in bioethanol research and production
Graeme Walker, University of Abertay Dundee, UK

Symposium Information

Biodiesel (made from vegetable oil), bioethanol (from carbohydrate fermentation) and conventional fuels synthesised from the gasification products of biomass are key biofuels that need to be exploited to ensure sustainable fuels for the future. The chemical sciences and engineering disciplines are critical in developing efficient catalysts, separation processes, high throughput systems and additives to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of biofuels. Biofuels have great potential for reducing carbon emissions but it is vitally important that energy used in their production is minimised or derived from renewable resources. 

Biofuels may provide fuel with different chemical compositions and this situation is causing a lot of uncertainty both with the fuel producers and suppliers and vehicle manufacturers. There is genuine lack of knowledge of the potential implications of these new fuels becoming widely distributed through a supply chain which has been developed over many decades based on fossil fuels. As with many subjects the ability to characterise bio-fuels, particularly in mixtures with conventional fossil fuels, will be crucial. It is critical therefore that analytical methods and technologies are developed and shared on a global basis.  

This symposium is intended to bring together key researchers and innovators active in the area of biomass conversion science to foster international scientific networks and collaborations. The symposium is organised and co-sponsored by the Chemical Societies of Brazil, Japan and the UK - the countries with active research in this important area.