Biodiesel production from one-step heterogeneous catalyzed process of Castor oil and Jatropha oil using novel sulphonated phenyl silane montmorillonite catalyst

Abstract

The present study describes the preparation of novel modified montmorillonite clay in highly acidic form and its evaluation as a heterogeneous catalyst in the production of biodiesel from castor oil and jatropha oil by a one-step catalyzed transesterification reaction. The prepared catalyst was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, BET surface area and HRTEM. The study showed that the optimized conditions of castor oil transesterification were: 5% catalyst by weight, 1:12 oil to methanol molar ratio, at 60°C for 300min at 800rpm; in case of jatropha oil: 5% catalyst by weight, 1:6 oil to methanol ratio, at 110°C for 150min at 800rpm. The obtained biodiesels properties were agreed with the ASTM standard specifications. Blending of castor oil and jatropha oil biodiesels with petroleum diesel improved their fuel properties according to engine test parameters. The prepared catalyst exhibited highest activity in the transesterification reactions, and showed good stability during the reaction with a reusability for seven rounds of transesterification without considerable decrease in its activity.