Optimization of biodiesel production from Spirulina microalgae via nanocatalytic transesterification process

Abstract

This article explores the synthesis of biodiesel from microalgae since it does not compromise food security. In this study, a highly active calcium methoxide Ca(OCH3)2 nanocatalyst with diameter and surface area of 50 nm and 27.06 m2/g, respectively was synthesized from wet impregnation technique and exploited in transesterification process to produce biodiesel from Spirulina microalgae. Thermo-gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurement were utilized to evaluate the Ca(OCH3)2 characteristics and results demonstrates that Ca(OCH3)2 possesses a better catalytic property than CaO. The effect of transesterification parameters on biodiesel yield were analyzed by employing a central composite design based response surface methodology. The adequacy of predicted model was verified, and a 99 % FAME yield was reported at optimal conditions of 3 h,3 wt% catalyst loading, 80 °C temperature, and 30:1 methanol/oil molar ratio. The nanocatalyst sustained its activity up to fifth cycle without significant deactivation.