Materials for Removal of Metal and Inorganic Contaminants from Rendered Fat

This proposal seeks to leverage the properties of poly(amine)-cellulose nanocrystals to remove metal and inorganic contaminants from rendered fat in order to facilitate the use of rendered animal fat for renewable biodiesel applications. The development of an inexpensive and convenient method for the removal of metal and inorganic contaminants from rendered fat will be beneficial to the industry because it will serve to improve the quality of rendered fat feedstocks for use in renewable biodiesel refining. The effective removal of trace metal and inorganic contaminants from rendered fat will prevent catalyst poisoning during the refining process and improve the stability of the refined biodiesel product.

Funding for this project was provided by the Clemson University Animal Co-Products Research & Education Center (ACREC) (Whitehead, Garcia, Alexis)

Papers published