Efficient Biodiesel Production Research Articles

Optimisation of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-CaSO4-based catalysts performance for methanolysis of waste lard for biodiesel production using response surface methodology and meta-heuristic algorithms

The CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-CaSO4-based solid catalysts developed from calcium carbide residue (CCR) was investigated for biodiesel production using waste lard in optimisation and regeneration studies. The catalysts were synthesized by calcination of the CCR at the temperature of 500, 700 and 900 °C and sulphonation, to give Cat500, Cat700 and Cat900 respectively. The catalysts were studied to optimise the biodiesel yield from waste lard using combinations of response surface methodology (RSM) and meta-heuristic algorithms such as particle swarm optimisation (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA) and firefly algorithm (FA). The process parameters investigated were methanol: oil molar ratio (6–12 w/w), reaction temperature (50–60 °C), reaction time (1–4 h), catalyst quantity (5–15 % (w/w)) and catalyst type (Cat500, Cat700 and Cat900). The study revealed that the 12:1 MeOH: oil molar ratio, 59.97 °C reaction temperature, 1 h reaction time, 5% (w/w) catalyst quantity and Cat500 catalyst type gave biodiesel yield of 96.35%. The performance of the meta-heuristic algorithms based on the optimisation output compared well with that of the RSM. This study concludes that the catalyst developed from the CCR can be regenerated after the ninth cycle of usage and re-utilised for efficient biodiesel production.

Lipase immobilization on a novel class of Zr-MOF/electrospun nanofibrous polymers: Biochemical characterization and efficient biodiesel production

In this study, due to the favorable properties of MOF compounds and fibrous materials, new nanostructures of Zr-MOF/PVP nanofibrous composites were synthesized by electrospinning procedure. The related features of these samples were characterized by relevant analyzes, including SEM, BET surface area analysis, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy. The final product showed significant properties such as small particle size distribution, large surface area, and high crystallinity. This strategy for producing these nanostructures could lead to new compounds as novel alternative materials for biological applications. Lipase MG10 was successfully immobilized on the mentioned nanofibrous composites and biochemically characterized. The lipase activity of free and immobilized lipases was considered by measuring the absorbance of pNPP (500 μM in 40 mM Tris/HCl buffer, pH 7.8, and 0.01% Triton X100) at 37 °C for 30 min. Different concentrations of glutaraldehyde, different crosslinking times, different times of immobilization, different enzyme loading, and different pH values have been optimized. Results showed that the optimized immobilization condition was achieved in 2.5% glutaraldehyde, after 2 h of crosslinking time, after 6 h immobilization time, using 180 mg protein/g support at pH 9.0. The immobilized enzyme was also totally stable after 180 min incubation at 60 °C. The free enzyme showed the maximum activity at pH 9.0, but the optimal pH of the immobilized lipase was shifted about 1.5 pH units to the alkaline area. The immobilized lipase showed about 2.7 folds (78%) higher stability than the free enzyme at 50 °C. Some divalent metal ions, including Cu2+ (22%), Co2+ (37%), Mg2+ (12%), Hg2+ (11%), and Mn2+ (17%) enhanced the enzyme activity of immobilized enzyme. The maximum biodiesel production (27%) from R. communis oil was obtained after 18 h of incubation by lipase MG10. The immobilized lipase displayed high potency in biodiesel production, about 83% after 12 h of incubation. These results indicated the high potency of Zr-MOF/PVP nanofibrous composites for efficient lipase immobilization.

Metabolic engineering Yarrowia lipolytica for a dual biocatalytic system to produce fatty acid ethyl esters from renewable feedstock in situ and in one pot.

Given the grave concerns over increasing consumption of petroleum resources and dramatic environmental changes arising from carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, microbial biosynthesis of fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) biofuels as renewable and sustainable replacements for petroleum-based fuels has attracted much attention. As one of the most important microbial chassis, the nonconventional oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has emerged as a paradigm organism for the production of several advanced biofuels and chemicals. Here, we report the engineering of Y. lipolytica for use as an efficient dual biocatalytic system for in situ and one-pot production of FAEEs from renewable feedstock. Compared to glucose with 5.7% (w/w) conversion rate to FAEEs, sunflower seed oil in the culture medium was efficiently used to generate FAEEs with 84% (w/w) conversion rate to FAEEs by the engineered Y. lipolytica strain GQY20 that demonstrates an optimized intercellular heterologous FAEE synthesis pathway. In particular, the titer of extracellular FAEEs from sunflower seed oil reached 9.9 g/L, 10.9-fold higher than that with glucose as a carbon source. An efficient dual biocatalytic system combining ex vivo and strengthened in vitro FAEE production routes was constructed by overexpression of a lipase (Lip2) variant in the background strain GQY20, which further increased FAEEs levels to 13.5 g/L. Notably, deleting the ethanol metabolism pathway had minimal impact on FAEE production. Finally, waste cooking oil, a low-cost oil-based substance, was used as a carbon source for FAEE production in the Y. lipolytica dual biocatalytic system, resulting in production of 12.5 g/L FAEEs. Thus, the developed system represents a promising green and sustainable process for efficient biodiesel production. KEY POINTS: • FAEEs were produced by engineered Yarrowia lipolytica. • A Lip2 variant was overexpressed in the yeast to create a dual biocatalytic system. • Waste cooking oil as a substrate resulted in a high titer of 12.5 g/L FAEEs.

Microbial lipids production from wastes by Metschnikowia pulcherrima: a review

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel to addressing the energy shortage problem. Microbial lipids have attracted widespread attention as one of the potential feed-stocks for cost-effective and efficient biodiesel production. However, the large-scale production of microbial lipids is hampered by the complexity and the high cost of aseptic culturing approach. Metschnikowia pulcherrima is an oleaginous yeast with strong environmental adaptability. It is capable of utilizing a wide spectrum of substrates, and can be cultured under non-sterile conditions. Therefore, this yeast has great potential to replace the traditional oleaginous microorganisms, particularly in the area of recycling wastewater and solid waste for the production of biodiesel. Based on the analysis of lipid production and application conditions of M. pulcherrima, this review summarized the unique advantages of M. pulcherrima and the key factors affecting lipids production. We further discussed the feasibility of cultivating M. pulcherrima on various organic wastes under non-sterile conditions for lipids production. Moreover, we analyzed the challenges associated with M. pulcherrima's in the yield and mechanism for lipids production, and proposed perspectives for how to achieve efficient biodiesel production using this yeast.

Comparative analysis of the application of artificial neural network-genetic algorithm and response surface methods-desirability function for predicting the optimal conditions for biodiesel synthesis from chrysophyllum albidum seed oil

Efficient and sustainable commercial production of biodiesel requires process optimization and modeling using artificial intelligence techniques. Artificial neural network-genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to predict the optimal process conditions for biodiesel synthesis from novel chrysophyllium albidum seed oil. Application of Levenberg -Marquardt algorithm and full factorial central composite design-desirability function analysis were carried out for ANN and RSM respectively. The biodiesel obtained at the optimum conditions was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC–MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), AOAC and ASTM D standard methods. The ANN and RSM correlation coefficients were 0.98 and 0.95 respectively. The best RSM fitted model was second order polynomial while the ANN best architecture topology consists of three layers: input layer with four input variables, hidden layer with ten hidden neurons and an output layer with single output variable. Optimization of the process shows that: RSM optimum conditions for biodiesel yield of 85.91wt% validated at 86.85wt% were 65.62 °C, 2.14wt% catalyst concentration, 62.04 min and 5.88 methanol: oil molar ratio with overall desirability of 1.00. ANN-GA gave 9.40% faster reaction time and required 15.88% less energy, 3.76% more alcohol and 16.82% less catalyst with 1.86wt% more biodiesel yield than RSM optimized conditions. Ascertained fuel properties, GC–MS and FTIR characterizations confirmed unsaturation and good cold-flow qualities of the biodiesel. Overall results presented ANN-GA as better than RSM and a reliable modeling and optimization technique for viable and sustainable production of biodiesel from chrysophyllum albidum seed.

Direct production of biodiesel via simultaneous esterification and transesterification of renewable oils using calcined blast furnace dust

Direct production of biodiesel by both esterification and transesterification of renewable oils with acid value (AV) of 9.6–28.9 mg KOH/g using calcined blast furnace dust is studied. Blast furnace dust calcined at 600–700 °C obviously promotes efficient biodiesel production because of the crystal form transformation from lead sulfate particles in dust into active lead oxide, lead sulfide, and lead particles. It is found for the first time that lead oxide, lead sulfide and lead particles can resist saponification from fatty acids to catalyze raw renewable oils to biodiesel with catalytic activity order as follows: lead oxide > lead > lead sulfide > lead sulfate. Biodiesel production process is optimized according to an orthogonal design with biodiesel yield of 92 wt% obtained at AV of 9.6 mg KOH/g (82 wt% after 5 cycles). Biodiesel yield of 84 wt% is achieved at AV of 28.9 mg KOH/g with acidity of 0.18 mmol/g. Calcined blast furnace dust presents potential applications in the production of biodiesel from renewable oils with high AVs.

Waste Musa paradisiaca plant: An efficient heterogeneous base catalyst for fast production of biodiesel

Exploration of economically viable and environmentally benign solid base-catalyzed transesterification of oil is extremely important to significantly reduce the cost of biodiesel. In this study, heterogeneous base catalysts from the peel, trunk and rhizome of Musa paradisiaca (Malbhog) were prepared by burning the dry materials followed by calcination at 550 °C for 2 h. The catalysts were investigated for biodiesel production using jatropha oil as a feedstock. Catalysts were characterized using powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) and HRTEM (High resolution transmission electron microscope). EDX and XPS studies exhibited that M. paradisiaca trunk catalyst possessed higher potassium content than the peel and rhizome catalysts. M. paradisiaca trunk catalyst displayed better efficacy which yielded 97.65% of biodiesel at 65 °C only in 9 min of reaction time using 5 wt % of catalyst and 9:1 MTOR (methanol to oil ratio). Basicity of catalyst was found in the increasing order of 1.39 mmol g−1 (rhizome) < 1.43 mmol g−1 (peel) < 1.59 mmol g−1 (trunk) with turnover frequency of 46.16 min−1 (rhizome) < 56.85 min−1 (peel) < 68.24 min−1 (trunk). Activation energies using M. paradisiaca peel, trunk and rhizome catalysts were found to be 48.68, 47.56 and 48.93 kJ mol−1. All the three catalysts from the waste M. paradisiaca plant are contributing almost similar activities in the catalysis with remarkable efficacies. The catalyst was successfully reused up to the 3rd reaction cycle with 91.23% of biodiesel yield. Biodiesel was characterized using FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GC-MS. Biodiesel properties and its (Na + K) and (Ca + Mg) concentrations were found to be within the limit of ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards. This study will provide a low-cost, renewable and eco-friendly heterogeneous base catalyst for efficient biodiesel production at a large-scale.

An innovative nanocatalyst α-Fe2O3/AlOOH processed from gibbsite rubbish ore for efficient biodiesel production via utilizing cottonseed waste oil

A novel dispersed α-Fe2O3 on AlOOH (Fe2+/Fe3+/AlOOH) acid catalyst synthesized via utilizing a deposition hydrothermal route and thoroughly characterized using XRD, SAED-TEM, FTIR, N2 sorptiometry and XPS measurements was employed for biodiesel production via trans-esterification of waste cooking cottonseed oil (WCO). The resulting catalysts own high surface texturing and acid sites loading characteristics especially 12% Fe2+/Fe3+/AlOOH that owns the highest surface area value (323 m2 g−1), uniform 4 nm mesopores, and high total acid sites loading of 0.45 mmol g−1. The optimum conditions for the transesterification of waste cooking oil (WCO) of the latter catalyst were 60 °C, methanol:WCO molar ratio of 6:1, 3% catalyst mass ratio, and 180 min reaction time to achieve 95% FAME yield. This catalyst exhibited high reusability and enabled facile separation and production of high quality biodiesel comparable to the universal ASTM standards. XPS results indicated that the catalytic reaction is promoted on the 12% catalyst when Fe3+/Fe2+ atomic ratios equal 4:1 is combined with AlOOH of appreciable OH bonds. Although 8% catalyst exposed 100% ratio of AlOOH as the 12% catalyst however, the strong interaction exhibited in the later catalyst besides boosting the ratio of Fe3+ that owns two surface active sites; in front of only one on the former, appears to enhance the FAME yield. The calculated activation energy of the reaction indicates a value of 51.54 KJ mol−1 and from the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH‡, ΔS‡ and ΔG‡) the reaction appears to be non-spontaneous and thus accommodated endothermicity beside an entropy decrease.

Biodiesel production from alternative raw materials using a heterogeneous low ordered biosilicified enzyme as biocatalyst

BackgroundCumulative reported evidence has indicated that renewable feedstocks are a promising alternative source to fossil platforms for the production of fuels and chemicals. In that regard, the development of new, highly active, selective, and easy to recover and reuse catalysts for biomass conversions is urgently needed. The combination of enzymatic and inorganic heterogeneous catalysis generates an unprecedented platform that combines the advantages of both, the catalytic efficiency and selectivity of enzymes with the ordered structure, high porosity, mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance of mesoporous materials to obtain enzymatic heterogeneous catalysts. Enzymatic mineralization with an organic silicon precursor (biosilicification) is a promising and emerging approach for the generation of solid hybrid biocatalysts with exceptional stability under severe use conditions. Herein, we assessed the putative advantages of the biosilicification technology for developing an improved efficient and stable biocatalyst for sustainable biofuel production.ResultsA series of solid enzymatic catalysts denominated LOBE (low ordered biosilicified enzyme) were synthesized from Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase and tetraethyl orthosilicate. The microscopic structure and physicochemical properties characterization revealed that the enzyme formed aggregates that were contained in the heart of silicon-covered micelles, providing active sites with the ability to process different raw materials (commercial sunflower and soybean oils, Jatropha excisa oil, waste frying oil, acid oil from soybean soapstock, and pork fat) to produce first- and second-generation biodiesel. Ester content ranged from 81 to 93% wt depending on the raw material used for biodiesel synthesis.ConclusionsA heterogeneous enzymatic biocatalyst, LOBE4, for efficient biodiesel production was successfully developed in a single-step synthesis reaction using biosilicification technology. LOBE4 showed to be highly efficient in converting refined, non-edible and residual oils (with high water and free fatty acid contents) and ethanol into biodiesel. Thus, LOBE4 emerges as a promising tool to produce second-generation biofuels, with significant implications for establishing a circular economy and reducing the carbon footprint.

Synthesis of KOH@CaO Catalyst by Sol-gel Method for Highly Efficient Biodiesel Production from Olive Oil

In this research, biodiesel was produced from olive oil in the presence of KOH-impregnated CaO catalyst (CaO@KOH). To this end, CaO catalyst was produced using the sol-gel method. The percent composition of fatty acids (FAs) in olive oil was measured using gas chromatography (GC) analysis. Also, SEM and BET analyses were performed to evaluate the surface properties of the catalyst. The results indicated that the biodiesel conversion yield of 99±0.2% was obtained under the optimal conditions, i.e. an oil/methanol ratio of 1:15, a catalyst dosage of 1.5 wt.%, a reaction temperature of 65℃, and a reaction time of 4 h, which was the highest biodiesel yield ever achieved from olive oil. The reusability of the catalyst was further investigated through 8 successive cycles of biodiesel generation, and the results indicated that the reduction of biodiesel conversion yield was less than 2% after 4 cycles of reusing the catalyst, confirming the high potential of the aforementioned catalyst. Also, the production cost of the KOH/CaO catalyst was calculated to be 108.45 USD/Kg, which had a reasonable cost. Moreover, the physical properties of the produced biodiesel were within the standard range.

Efficient Biodiesel Production Catalysed by Lipase Immobilized on Nanowire Coils

The lipase from Candida rugosa (CRL) was covalently immobilized on various carbon nanomaterials (functionalized nanowire coils and multi-walled carbon nanotubes) and tested for biodiesel production. Using the most active lipase preparation (covalently immobilized CRL on Nanowire coils) under optimal conditions, 96.8% conversion of waste oil was obtained after only 12 h reaction time. Moreover, the biocatalyst maintained nearly 90% of its initial activity in the batch system after 13 recycling experiments and still 80 % initial activity after storage 240 d.

Reusable Na-SiO2@CeO2catalyst for efficient biodiesel production from non-edible wild olive oil as a new and potential feedstock

The main purpose of the current research work is to design competent heterogeneous catalyst for the development of sustainable biodiesel technology. Therefore, a novel and an efficient Na-SiO2@CeO2 heterogeneous catalyst was designed for sustainable and eco-friendly biodiesel production using wild olive oil as a new and potentially non-edible feedstock. The designed catalyst was further characterized by using FT-IR, BET-BJH, SEM, EDX, XPS and XRD spectroscopic techniques. The experimental results demonstrated that the synthesized catalyst appeared to be efficient for the conversion of wild olive oil to biodiesel, providing maximum yield of 97% at optimum reaction conditions: catalyst concentration 2.5w/w%, reaction duration 120 min, reaction temperature 65 °C, and oil/methanol molar ratio 1:10. It was observed from the endurance test that the synthesized catalyst has remarkable catalytic potency upto five consecutive runs, showing profound stability with negligible leaching of the active basic sites from the surface of the catalyst.

Waste glass catalyst for biodiesel production from waste chicken fat: Optimization by RSM and ANNs and toxicity assessment

In the current study, a heterogeneous solid base catalyst was manufactured by the reaction of waste glass with NaOH and used to generate biodiesel from chicken fat. The surface technical methods were used to characterize the produced catalyst. The active phase in the catalyst was Na2SiO3. The data showed that the catalyst is efficient to produce biodiesel from chicken fat (90% efficiency up to fourth stages of reuse). The effect of important variables such as reaction time, temperature, catalyst content, and methanol to oil ratio on the biodiesel production efficiency was optimized by RSM-CCD and artificial neural network (ANN). Maximum biodiesel production was calculated as 98.77% and 97.74% using RSM-CCD and ANN, respectively. The quality of the produced biodiesel was checked by ASTM D 6751 and EN 11214 standards. Also, the produced biodiesel was not toxic to plant and microorganisms and it is a biocompatible fuel.

Preliminary Investigation of Organocatalyst Activity Based on C‐Arylcalix[4]‐2‐Methylresorcinarene Sulfonic Acid Materials for Biodiesel Production

At present, biodiesel remains an untapped fuel source while crude oil reserves are being depleted. Extensive efforts are necessary to achieve efficient biodiesel production, but catalytic activity in methyl palmitate production remains unsatisfactory. In this study, we report the synthesis and organocatalyst activity of C‐arylcalix[4]‐2‐methylresorcinarene sulfonic acids for biodiesel production. The presence of a methyl group on an aromatic ring is expected to disturb the intramolecular hydrogen bonds; thus, each hydroxyl group could be utilized for the catalytic process. C‐arylcalix[4]‐2‐methylresorcinarene sulfonic acids were prepared from cyclocondensation and sulfonation reactions yielding compounds 1–6 at rates of 66.7%–86.6%. By evaluating the organocatalytic activity of the C‐arylcalix[4]‐2‐methylresorcinarene sulfonic acids, we found that 4 mol% of compound 5 exhibited the highest yield (97.8%) of methyl palmitate at 338 K for 6‐h reaction time, which is remarkable. These findings show that C‐arylcalix[4]‐2‐methylresorcinarene sulfonic acids are promising heterogeneous catalyst materials for biodiesel production.

Biodiesel production from edible oils using algal biochar/CaO/K2CO3 as a heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst

A new heterogeneous biochar/CaO/K2CO3 catalyst was fabricated to produce biodiesel from waste edible oil. In this catalyst, the biochar was produced from brown algae of Sargassum oligocystum and CaO from eggshells. The XRD result showed that the biochar, CaO, and synthesized catalyst have a crystalline structure. Response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods were used to investigate the effect of parameters and determine optimal conditions. Also, the maximum efficiency of biodiesel production (98.83%) was predicted by the RSM-CCD method at 65 °C, 4 wt% catalyst content, 200 min duration, and 18: 1 methanol to oil ratio. The process of biodiesel production was exothermic. The activation energy and frequency factor were calculated 45.53 kJ/mol and 6.03 × 10+4 min−1, respectively. Biodiesel properties were evaluated according to international standards (ASTM D6751 and EN14214). The catalyst was reused for up to 90% efficiency in up to 5 steps.

Molecular characterization of blue-green algae (Anabaena constricta) and comparative studies of biodiesel production from other species

Biodiesel can substitute fossil fuels adequately and thus, considered ‘future fuel’. Thus, identifying a promising algal strain for efficient biodiesel production is a very important endeavor. In the present investigation, the blue green algae, Anabaena constricta could be grown aseptically attaining exponential phase, 3 days post inoculation, responds to phototropism and amenable to both autotrophic and heterotrophic mode. Phylogenetic analysis reveal that Anabaena constricta grouped separately from other algal strains used in the study, making it unique in nature. Further, comparative studies of selected algal and blue green algal strains based on the oil percentage and fatty acid profile indicate potential biodiesel properties. The total lipid content of Anabaena constricta is estimated to 14% of the dry weight, and fatty acids profiling indicate presence of 11 fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), principally palmitic acid (16:0), oleic acids (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2), palmitoleic acid (16:1). The algal species, Hydrodictyon registered highest percentage of unsaturated fatty acids (59.5%), while highest content of saturated fatty acid was found in Anabaena constricta (51.5%). Cetane Number of seven algal and blue green algal biodiesel varied from 54.77 to 58.2 and Saponification Value varied from 205.6 to 211.39. PROMETHEE &amp; GAIA analyses indicate both the Rhizoclonium and Tolypothrix species outranked while Hydrodictyon and Anabaena constricta are the least suitable species in seven algal and blue-green algal species studied for biodiesel production. Well-characterized strains offer promise for biodiesel production at a cost-effective level. The present study focus on the renewable fuel, which is useful for reducing the carbon footprint with potential to impact self-sustainability in fuel sector, without modification in current infrastructure.

Heterogeneous ZnO-containing catalysts for efficient biodiesel production.

Biodiesel is one of the main biofuels used to replace fossil resources, and is mainly produced from esterification and transesterification of fatty acids and oils catalyzed by acids, bases or enzymes. Among the existing catalysts, metal oxides and their derivatives play an important role because of their high catalytic activity and low cost. ZnO is a metal oxide and its related nanomaterials are easy to prepare, which gives ZnO superior reactivity and extensive applications. Suitably modified ZnO nanomaterials typically have high specific surface areas, suitable pore sizes, and enhanced catalytic performance in the production of biodiesel. The present review introduces the application progress of ZnO catalysts in biodiesel preparation. The current shortcomings and future challenges of the basic heterogeneous catalytic systems for biodiesel production are also discussed.

Covalent immobilization and characterization of Rhizopus oryzae lipase on core-shell cobalt ferrite nanoparticles for biodiesel production

Rhizopus oryzae lipase (ROL) was immobilized on the surface of silica coated amino modified CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and applied for biodiesel production. The results indicated more affinity of the ROL toward its substrate upon immobilization, as revealed by a lower Km value for the immobilized ROL compared to its free counterpart. Intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy indicated a lower intensity for ROL immobilized on CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. Besides, immobilized ROL steady state anisotropy measurements presented lower values, which implied assembly of ROL molecules on magnetic nanoparticles upon immobilization as well as their restricted rotation upon covalent attachment. Thermal stability analysis revealed improved activity at higher temperatures for the immobilized enzyme compared to its free counterpart. Accordingly, Pace analysis to determine protein thermal stability revealed preservation of the protein conformation in the presence of increasing temperatures upon immobilization on nanoparticles. Finally, ROL immobilized on CoFe2O4 nanoparticles exhibited improved efficiency of biodiesel production in agreement with thermal activity profile. Therefore, the authors suggest application of the lipase molecules immobilized on CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for more efficient biodiesel production.

Efficient production and optimization of biodiesel from kapok (Ceiba pentandra) oil by lipase transesterification process: Addressing positive environmental impact

Ceiba pentandra, non-edible oil (acid value of 21 mg KOH/g estimated using ASTM D664 methodology) is employed as a source for producing biodiesel using lipase immobilized on mesoporous material as a catalyst. Optimum conditions for maximum yield (96.4%) were the temperature of 33 °C, methanol to oil molar ratio of about 13.3:1 with a water content of 14.5%. From the reusability studies, it can be observed that greater than 85% conversion could be obtained up to 10 cycles, thereby proving the significant efficacy of the catalyst. Density, flash point, cloud point, calorific value, and cetane number of the produced biodiesels were 885 kg/m3, 152 °C, −3 °C, 38.44 kJ/kg and 57.2, respectively meeting the ASTM standards specified for biodiesel. The performance and emissions characteristics of 20% biodiesel (CIB20) and petroleum diesel were studied in a VCR under varying speeds in a full load condition. Blended biofuel showed a 13% lower mean brake power (BP) and 25% higher mean specific fuel consumption (SFC) compared to diesel fuel. Though NOx emission of the blended diesel was 31% higher than that of petroleum diesel, Hydrocarbon, CO2, and CO emissions were 8.4%, 13.7%, and 5.08% lower than that of diesel fuel, respectively.

Effect of nanocatalysts on the transesterification reaction of first, second and third generation biodiesel sources- A mini-review

Biodiesel is a fuel that has numerous benefits over traditional petrodiesel. The transesterification process is the most popular method for biodiesel production from various sources, categorized as first, second and third generation biodiesel depending on the source. The transesterification process is subject to a variety of factors that can be taken into account to improve biodiesel yield. One of the factors is catalyst type and concentration, which plays a significant role in the transesterification of biodiesel sources. At present, chemical and biological catalysts are being investigated and each catalyst has its advantages and disadvantages. Recently, nanocatalysts have drawn researchers’ attention to the efficient production of biodiesel. This article discusses recent work on the role of several nanocatalysts in the transesterification reaction of various sources in the development of biodiesel. A large number of literature from highly rated journals in scientific indexes is reviewed, including the most recent publications. Most of the authors reported that nanocatalysts show an important influence regarding activity and selectivity. This study highlights that in contrast to conventional catalysts, the highly variable surface area of nanostructure materials favours interaction between catalysts and substrates that efficiently boost the performance of products. Finally, this analysis provides useful information to researchers in developing and processing cost-effective biodiesel.