Membrane reactor based synthesis of biodiesel from Toona ciliata seed oil using barium oxide nano catalyst

Abstract

Membrane technology has been embraced as a feasible and promising substitute to the traditional technologies employed for biodiesel synthesis which are energy and time consuming. It needs less energy, has high stability, is environmentally friendly, and is simple to operate and control. Therefore, in our current study membrane technology was employed to synthesize biodiesel from Toona ciliate novel and non-edible seed oil. Since Toona ciliata has affluent oil content (33.8%) and is effortlessly and extensively available. In fact, we intended to scrutinize the effects of green synthesized barium oxide nanoparticles for one step transesterification of biodiesel production using membrane technology followed by characterization of prepared catalyst via innovative techniques. Optimal yield of biodiesel attained was 94% at 90 °C for 150 min with methanol to oil molar ratio of 9:1 and amount of about 0.39 wt %. Quantitative analysis of synthesized Toona ciliata oil biodiesel was carried out by advance techniques of Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) which authorize the synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester compounds using oil from Toona ciliata seeds. Values of Toona ciliata fuel properties for instance flash point (70°C), density (0.89 kg/m3), viscosity (5.25 mm2/s), cloud point (−8°C) and pour point (−11°C) met the specifications of international standards i. e American (ASTM D-6751), European (EN-14214) and China (GB/T 20,828). Subsequently, it is concluded that membrane technology is environmentally friendly and efficient technique for mass-production of sustainable biodiesel using green nano catalyst of barium oxide.