Production of biodiesel from Pistacia atlantica (PA) oil seeds using nano-catalyst of alumina/sludge of stone cutting factory (Al2O3/SSCF) and separation of biodiesel and glycerol phases by high voltage

Abstract

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel and a suitable alternative to fossil fuels. However, the cost of its production and purification has prevented the commercialization and industrialization of this fuel. One economic solution for producing biodiesel fuel is the profit from the sale of glycerin, which is produced as a side product in various processes. In addition to the economic aspects, there are problems caused by the presence of glycerin residues in raw biodiesel before the purification process and the low speed of its separation from biodiesel. Biodiesel is produced by the transesterification method from Pistacia atlantica (PA) oil seeds of the Lorestan Mountains and methanol (1:6) using nano-catalysts of alumina/sludge from a stone cutting factory (Al2O3/SSCF). In this study, to investigate cost reduction and pure and quick separation of glycerin from biodiesel produced, a high-voltage electric method has been used. In this method, negative charges are absorbed by glycerin, separating it from biodiesel. The resulting biodiesel is produced in 10 min with 99% efficiency. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum of biodiesel is investigated to ensure the formation of the reaction. This method can replace traditional methods.