Biodiesel Synthesis with Iron Oxide Nano-Catalyst Catalyzed &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Pongamia Pinnata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Seed Oil and Dimethyl Carbonate

Balaji Panchal

doi:10.11648/j.ajee.20180603.11

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the biodiesel production from Pongamia pinnata seed oil and dimethyl carbonate with an iron oxide nano-catalyzed transesterification reaction. A significant biodiesel yield (96%) was obtained with optimal operating conditions as the dimethyl carbonate to oil molar ratio (5:1), iron oxide nano-catalyst (50 mg% based on oil weight), agitation speed of 150 rpm and 60°C temperature for 5 h reaction time. The produced methyl esters from the transesterification process were confirmed to be almost identical to commercial standard biodiesel by thin layer chromatography. The produced methyl esters were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using an internal standard. Properties of methyl esters were characterized such as kinematic viscosity at 40°C, specific gravity at 25°C, flash point, cloud point, pour point, copper strip corrosion and acid value. The properties of the produced biodiesel were within the specifications of the American biodiesel standard, ASTM D6751-02. The results showed that all of tested reaction variables in this study had positive effects. In this research studied, a novel method has developed for production of biodiesel under mild conditions using DMC and iron oxide nano-catalyst. Iron oxide nano-catalyst could be potential candidate for use in the large-scale biodiesel production.

Highlights

Biodiesel, as a renewable source of bioenergy, has been produced from animal fats, vegetable oil, used cooking oils and algal lipids [1]
The use of P. pinnata oil can likely provide an eco-environmentally acceptable fuel that will lead to reductions in the current diesel engine emissions [8]
“Figure 3”, shows the Thin layer chromatography (TLC) image for a biodiesel from transesterification reactions with the 50 mg% iron oxide nano-catalyst based on oil weight with optimum reaction conditions

Summary

Introduction

As a renewable source of bioenergy, has been produced from animal fats, vegetable oil, used cooking oils and algal lipids [1]. Biodiesel is receiving increased acceptance in the market as an eco-environmentally friendly fuel [3]. Its physical properties are similar to those of petroleum diesel, which makes biodiesel a good alternative fuel [4]. One alternative to oil crops is the seed oil of P. pinnata because this plant contains high amounts of lipids, which make it suitable for biodiesel production [7]. In India, animal fats, edible and non-edible oil can be used for biodiesel production. The use of P. pinnata oil can likely provide an eco-environmentally acceptable fuel that will lead to reductions in the current diesel engine emissions [8]

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion