Abstract
Wheat straw ash (WSA) was investigated as a new catalyst in biodiesel production from sunflower oil. The catalyst was characterized by temperature-programmed decomposition, X- ray powder diffraction, Hg porosimetry, N2 physisorption, and scanning electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy methods. The methanolysis reaction was tested in the temperature range of 55?65?C, the catalyst loading range 10?20 % of the oil weight, and the methanol-to-oil molar ratio range 18 : 1?24 : 1. The reaction conditions of the sunflower oil methanolysis over WSA were optimized by using the response surface methodology in combination with the historical experimental design. The optimum process conditions ensuring the highest fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content of 98.6 % were the reaction temperature of 60.3?C, the catalyst loading of 11.6 % (based on the oil weight), the methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 18.3 :1, and the reaction time of 124 min. The values of the statistical criteria, such as coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.811, R2 = 0.789, R2 = 0.761) and the mean relative percent deviation (MRPD) value of 10.6 % (66 data) implied the acceptability and precision of the developed model. The FAME content after 4 h of reaction under the optimal conditions decreased to 37, 12, and 3 %, after the first, second, and third reuse, respectively.
Highlights
Given the growing global need for energy and the scarcity of fossil fuel reserves, as well as the severe climate change, the question is imposed of future energy sources that will be able to meet the need of the economy and society
This paper reports on the use of Wheat straw ash (WSA) as a catalyst in the production of biodiesel from sunflower oil
Wheat straw as waste biomass is frequently used for energy production by direct combustion, producing ash as a byproduct
Summary
Given the growing global need for energy and the scarcity of fossil fuel reserves, as well as the severe climate change, the question is imposed of future energy sources that will be able to meet the need of the economy and society. The emphasis must be put on renewable and sustainable energy sources, such as biomass, solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Biomass including waste agricultural residues is significant as a source for energy production by combustion or for biofuel production via various chemical, biological, or thermochemical routes. It has been estimated that about 3–14 % of the total energy supply in the world could be generated from agricultural residues [1]. A biomass-based fuel, is commonly produced by chemical conversion of vegetable oils, and widely used as an adequate replacement for diesel fuel. The advantages of biodiesel, compared to petroleum-based diesel, are renewability, sustainability, and reduced emission of CO2, SO2, and hydrocarbons [2]
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