Ultrasound assisted transesterification of microalgae using synthesized novel catalyst

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Abstract Biodiesel was produced from microalgae under ultrasound assisted transesterification using synthesized novel alkali catalyst. The catalyst was prepared by impregnating potassium ions in the catalyst support by ion exchanging 1.0 N KOH solution with pumice powder. The catalyst was evaluated with Hammett indicators, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. The catalyst can easily be separated by filtration and reuse is possible without reduction in its performance. The Fatty Acid Methyl Ester yield of biodiesel with optimized process parameters was 85%. Optimum process parameters were identified to be: methanol to oil ratio = 12:1; catalyst load = 10%; reaction time = 10 min; and ultrasonic processor percent amplitude = 40%.