Cerium and rhodium-based catalysts could hold the key to slashing energy costs and minimising the environmental impact in the creation of olefins and olefinic esters, which are key elements in polymer production.

Using a system that is both efficient and environmentally friendly, scientists in Minnesota, US, say that they are on the brink of a breakthrough in the production of olefins.

Chemical and Engineering News reports that Lanny D. Schmidt has led a team specialising in chemical engineering, harnessing a modified autothermal catalytic reactor to achieve the results necessary.

By spraying droplets of biodiesel into the reactor using an automotive fuel injector, the scientists were able to generate a mixture of organic material and air.

The organic material and air were then passed over a catalyst containing small amounts of rhodium and cerium, with the team able to control the ratio of biodiesel to oxygen in the process in order to adjust the level of by-products being created.

In their tests completed so far the researchers say that they have succeeded in managing the ratios effectively, such that the overall process never yields more than 13 per cent carbon dioxide.

Meanwhile, the catalyst remains unaffected even under extreme conditions in the system.

With more than 300 billion lb of olefins produced each year - typically using ethane and other light alkanes - alternatives to the standard energy-intensive process of steam cracking are likely to prove essential.