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.
The Cuban efforts for the founding of a local biodiesel industry are totally focused on Jatropha based, as the main source of bioenergy for transportation in rural areas. There is no a national policy in this respect and the producers and users are dealing with the use of a blend of 15% of biodiesel of Jatropha curcas and 85% diesel fuel. This is a major challenge for the farmers and municipalities, due to risk and uncertainty in its production, profitability and land disposal, among others. The present study investigates the supply chain network and related problems of the biodiesel industry in Cuba. The Jatropha based biodiesel supply chain includes stages like seeds production, feedstock logistics such as harvesting, storage, and transportation, biodiesel production, distribution and final use in diesel engines. The critical factor is the seed production at the level needed for a stable supply of oil to the biodiesel plant. Consumables that are imported are another risk factor in the Jatropha value chain in Cuban local production. The settling of a local bioenergy market is another task for the Jatropha industry but also for the by-products generated (glycerol, Jatropha cake and husk) are also crucial for the sustainability of the industry.
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