Methanol To Oil Molar Ratio Research Articles

Catalytic evaluation of eggshell‐based calcium methoxide over Al2O3 for biodiesel generation from waste cooking oil

AbstractShell‐derived materials are promising heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production due to their nontoxic and renewable nature, but they have the disadvantage of being highly leachable. To overcome this issue, Ca(OCH3)2 formed through the reaction of CaO with methanol, and supported in turn on Al2O3 is proposed as a catalytic system for the transesterification of fresh soybean oil and waste cooking oil (WCO). First, catalysts with several Al/Ca molar ratios (0.2, 0.5, and 0.8‐AC), as well as their precursors (CaO and Al2O3) alone, were tested at 60 °C, catalyst loading 6% wt, methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio (MOR) 10, for 1 h for fresh oil, and 3 h for WCO. The 0.2‐AC catalyst generated the highest biodiesel yield for both oils. The optimum operating conditions for WCO transesterification, determined by using a univariable approach, were 60 °C, 9 wt% catalyst loading, MOR of 12.5, and a reaction time of 3 h. These improved conditions led to yields higher than 90% for pure CaO and the 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8‐AC catalysts. The density, kinematic viscosity, and refractive index of the biodiesel obtained were measured.

A Spherical Superhydrophobic Activated Carbon Catalyst for Biodiesel Production ‐Exploring Process Efficiency, Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Life Cycle Cost Analysis

AbstractEngineering the wettability of functional materials holds significant interest, focusing on the need for superhydrophobic catalysts, crucial for their ability to prevent the poisoning of active sites by water, produced in situ or as a by‐product. Herein, for the first time, a superhydrophobic spherical activated carbon (SSAC@PhSO3H) is engineered as a catalyst via a novel synthetic approach and tailored in Jatropha curcas oil (JCO) biodiesel synthesis. With a large surface area (1461 m2 g−1), high acid density (6.26 mmol g−1), and water contact angle (163.4°), the catalyst demonstrates superior performance and remarkable water repellency, firmly establishing its superhydrophobic characteristics. Response Surface Methodology based on the Central Composite Design (RSM‐CCD) approach predicted a maximal biodiesel yield of 98.8% (80 °C, 5 wt%, 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio (MOMR), and 40 min). Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) estimates biodiesel production cost of 0.37 USD ($) per kg emphasizing high commercial viability. Compared with H2SO4‐sulfonated biochar, SSAC@PhSO3H retains its inherent activity (86.8 ± 0.4% yield in 10th run) and spherical morphology even after nine successive reaction cycles indicating high stability. Nevertheless, JCO biodiesel's fuel properties met European Norm, EN 14 212 and American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM D6757 standards, highlighting its potential for industrial biodiesel production.

Asimina triloba seeds as a feedstock for energy conversion: Optimizing yield rate and characterizing fuel properties

In the present study, waste Asimina triloba seeds are proposed as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production, with the optimization of transesterification process parameters aimed at achieving higher yield rates. While previous studies have explored the use of Asimina triloba biodiesel for engine applications, this study stands out as the first to optimize transesterification process parameters for increased yield and to conduct comprehensive fuel characterization alongside storage stability analysis. The transesterification process parameters such as the methanol-oil molar ratio, catalyst volume concentration, reaction process temperature, and reaction process time are optimized by employing the response surface methodology. The response surface methodology analysis revealed that the proposed model is highly significant, with a coefficient of determination approaching unity. To achieve maximum biodiesel yield, the recommended parameters are a methanol-oil molar ratio of 14.7:1, a catalyst concentration of 2.4%, a reaction temperature of 81.3?C, and a reaction time of 138.8 minutes. Under these optimal conditions, the projected yield is 94.35%, aligning closely with experimental observations of 94.4%. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis underscored the substantial presence of carbon-based constituents in biodiesel, while the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed octadic-9,12-dienoic acid as the primary contributor. Furthermore, the stability profile demonstrates an extended stability period, complemented by physicochemical properties that align with the biodiesel standards specified by ASTM.

A review of the use of SrO in catalysts for biodiesel production

AbstractSrO has attracted attention for its use as a heterogeneous catalyst in producing biodiesel from transesterification owing to its high alkaline character and low solubility in methanol. In studies conducted in this decade, reaction conditions such as the methanol–oil molar ratio, reaction time, catalyst loading and temperature have been optimized in these systems. Furthermore, several works have been carried out to improve the physicochemical properties and increase the leaching resistance of this material. Thus, the new trends in using SrO in transesterification reactions are that this oxide should be supported or combined with Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, or Fe2O3, CaO, metal–organic frameworks, zeolites or La2O3. It has been observed that strontium can form mixed crystalline phases with these oxides by increasing the (M2+O2−) pairs and Lewis basicity of the oxygens, resulting in increased basicity and catalytic activity. Moreover, the transition metal oxides may provide Lewis acidity. Hence, these strontium‐containing catalytic systems have demonstrated a bifunctionality that can perform esterification and transesterification reactions at the same time. In addition, the combination of these oxides decreases the leaching of the catalyst. Other materials such as metal–organic frameworks, zeolites, and La2O3 have been studied as SrO supports, showing that they can be used in oil transesterification reactions.

Cleaner Biofuel Production via Process Parametric Optimization of Nonedible Feedstock in a Membrane Reactor Using a Titania-Based Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst: An Aid to Sustainable Energy Development.

Membrane technology has been embraced as a feasible and suitable substitute for conventional time- and energy-intensive biodiesel synthesis processes. It is ecofriendly, easier to run and regulate, and requires less energy than conventional approaches, with excellent stability. Therefore, the present study involved the synthesis and application of a highly reactive and recyclable Titania-based heterogeneous nanocatalyst (TiO2) for biodiesel production from nonedible Azadhiracta indica seed oil via a membrane reactor, since Azadhiracta indica is easily and widely accessible and has a rich oil content (39% w/w). The high free fatty acids content (6.52 mg/g KOH) of the nonedible oil was decreased to less than 1% via two-step esterification. Following the esterification, transesterification was performed using a heterogeneous TiO2 nanocatalyst under optimum conditions, such as a 9:1 methanol-oil molar ratio, 90 °C reaction temperature, 2 wt.% catalyst loading, and an agitation rate of 600 rpm, and the biodiesel yield was optimized through response surface methodology (RSM). Azadhiracta indica seed oil contains 68.98% unsaturated (61.01% oleic acid, 8.97% linoleic acid) and 31.02% saturated fatty acids (15.91% palmitic acid, 15.11% stearic acid). These fatty acids transformed into respective methyl esters, with a total yield up to 95% achieved. The biodiesel was analyzed via advanced characterization techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), whereas the catalyst was characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Due to its physicochemical properties, Azadirachta indica seed oil is a highly recommended feedstock for biodiesel production. Moreover, it is concluded that the Titania-based heterogeneous nanocatalyst (TiO2) is effective for high-quality liquid fuel synthesis from nonedible Azadirachta indica seed oil in a membrane reactor, which could be an optional green route to cleaner production of bioenergy, eventually leading to sustenance, robustness, and resilience that will aid in developing a holistic framework for integrated waste management.

Biodiesel Synthesis from Waste Vegetable Oil Utilizing Eggshell Ash as an Innovative Heterogenous Catalyst

The objective of this research is to explore the production of biodiesel using Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) as the primary feedstock and calcined eggshell ash as an environmentally sustainable catalyst. The WVO, characterized by a Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content of 2.86%, serves as the primary feedstock for biodiesel production through transesterification. The eggshell ash undergoes a rigorous process, including washing with distilled water to remove impurities, drying at 100ºC for 24 hours, crushing into fine particles, and final calcination in a muffle furnace at 900ºC. Process optimization is achieved by varying key reaction parameters, including temperature, catalyst loading, and the methanol-oil molar ratio. The optimal conditions are identified at 65°C, utilizing a methanol-oil molar ratio of 6:1 and a 5wt% catalyst loading. Under these optimized reaction conditions, a substantial biodiesel yield of 91.3% is obtained. The produced biodiesel meets the stringent quality requirements specified by the American Standard (ASTM D 6751) and European Standard (EN 14214) for biodiesel fuel, ensuring its suitability for various applications. This study demonstrates the potential of utilizing calcined eggshell ash as an eco-friendly catalyst for sustainable biodiesel production from WVO.

Optimising Process Parameters for Bauhinia Monandra Biodiesel Production and Characterization

The objective of this study is to enhance the efficiency of biodiesel production from Bauhinia monandra seeds through the application of response surface methodology (RSM). The subsequent evaluation will focus on the fuel characterisation and properties measurement. The process was optimised by adjusting the methanol-oil molar ratio (MOR), reaction (RTe), and reaction time (RTm). The ASTM set the standards for conducting the property measurements, and the fuel characterization was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimisation analysis revealed that the highest yield of BMB was achieved by employing an MOR of 7.4:1, keeping a temperature of 80 °C, and allowing the reaction to occur for a duration of 64 minutes. In optimal circumstances, the yield rate of BPB is recorded at 89.3%. According to FTIR, the BMB consists of carbon-based components of superior quality, and the measured physicochemical properties of fuel meet the required standards.

Biodiesel Production from Chlorella homosphaera by Two-Step Catalytic Conversion Using Waste Radish Leaves as a Source for Heterogeneous Catalyst.

The economic viability of algal biodiesel can be improved by enhancing the microalgal lipid accumulation and using agricultural waste as a cheap and sustainable source of catalysts. In the current study, the effect of various nitrogen concentrations on the growth and lipid of Chlorella homosphaera were investigated. Furthermore, two-step catalytic conversion was applied to convert the oil of C. homosphaera with high free fatty acids (FFA) to biodiesel using waste radish leaves as a source of a heterogeneous base catalyst. The result revealed that the maximum lipid productivity of 25.0mg L-1day-1 and lipid content of 30.83% were obtained under nitrogen-depleted and limited nitrogen conditions, respectively. The FFA was reduced from 18.79 to 0.76%, and the acid value was decreased from 37.4 to 1.52mg KOH g-1 using a 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio (MTOR), 1.5 wt.% H2SO4, at 60°C for 150min. Under the optimized conditions, i.e., MTOR of 10:1, 3 wt.% of catalyst ratio for 120min at 60°C, the highest oil conversion of 96.61% was obtained. The physicochemical properties of the produced biodiesel were in the range of the standard specification norms for biodiesel. Hence, the proposed two-step catalytic conversion using calcined radish leaves as a heterogeneous catalyst has thus exhibited good potential for biodiesel production using algal oil with high FFA.

Highly efficient scallop seashell-derived catalyst for biodiesel production from sunflower and waste cooking oils: Reaction kinetics and effect of calcination temperature studies

The sustainable production of biodiesel from waste materials has become of utmost importance in recent years. In this study, cheap CaO catalysts were prepared by calcination of waste scallop seashells (Noble Pectin). The seashells were thermally treated at different temperatures (600–1000 °C) and then used in the transesterification of sunflower oil for biodiesel production. The catalysts were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and simultaneous Thermal Gravimetric-Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC) techniques. The highest Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) yield (97%) was obtained in the presence of the catalyst calcined at 700 °C under the following conditions: a methanol-to-oil molar ratio (MOMR) of 12:1, a catalyst-to-oil ratio (CTOR) of 10 wt%, a stirring rate of 700 rpm, a reaction temperature of 65 °C and a reaction time of 4 h. The seashell-derived catalyst was practically stable for at least 4 consecutive runs in the reusability study, maintaining a high FAME yield (>92%). The reaction followed pseudo-first order kinetics, with an activation energy (Ea) of 133.57 kJ/mol and a pre-exponential factor (A) of 4.025 × 1018 min−1. This catalyst additionally exhibited a very high activity in the transesterification of waste cooking oil, with a similar FAME yield of 97%. This shows that this catalyst is promising for potential biodiesel production scale-up schemes and industrial applications.

The optimization of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil catalyzed by ostrich-eggshell derived CaO through various machine learning approaches

The continuous increase in demand for fossil-based fuel has led to the requirement for an alternative source that must be renewable. Biodiesel is gaining global acceptance as a renewable source of energy. This research focuses on the optimization of the transesterification of waste cooking oil under the CaO-based catalyst derived from a solid ostrich eggshell by different types of machine learning approaches. The objective of the current study is to evaluate and compare the prediction results as well as the simulating efficiency of the biodiesel production yield using heterogeneous catalysts by various machine learning (ML) techniques: type 1 fuzzy logic system (T1FLS), response surface methodology (RSM), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and type 2 fuzzy inference logic system (T2FLS). The influence of the independent variables, methanol-oil molar ratio (M:O), temperature, catalyst concentration, and reaction time on the production yield was investigated. Among all the input parameters, the reaction temperature is the most influential one based on the aforesaid techniques. The validity of the proposed models has been verified with the help of statistical analysis and multiple linear regression. The values of the determination coefficient (R2) of type 2 fuzzy logic systems are 99.1% whereas R2 of type 1 fuzzy logic systems, response surface methodology, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems are 95.3%, 93.3%, and 83.2% respectively. All models give close predicted values. However, the type 2 fuzzy logic models were more accurate compared to other models. This proves that it is more capable of handling a wide range of dynamic processes in the chemical industry.

A Heterogeneous Bifunctional Carbon Nanocatalyst from Plastic Waste to Efficiently Catalyze Waste Cooking Oil into Biodiesel

In this study, black carbon derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wastes was utilized as the precursor for heterogeneous bifunctional nanocatalyst, which successively catalyzed waste cooking oil into biodiesel. The nano-sized catalysts were prepared by impregnation method with different heat treatment techniques, such as reflux, hydrothermal, and microwave solvothermal, to provide good distribution of K2O and NiO particles on PET activated carbon mesoporous surface. The sample treated with microwave solvothermal technique (MAC-K2O-NiO) exhibited a high surface area of 120 m2/g with good dispersion of nanoparticles, as shown by FESEM image, large crystallite size of 62.2 nm, and consisted of a highest density of basicity (2.58 mmol/g) and acidity (1.79 mmol/g) for improving transesterification to a maximum yield. The catalytic transesterification of MAC-K2O-NiO was optimized with 3 wt.% of catalyst loading, 18: 1 methanol-oil molar ratio, 65 °C for 3 h of reaction, with a maximum yield of 97.2%. The catalyst reusability was performed, and it was found to maintain the catalytic activity up to six reaction cycles, with a yield of 72.9%. The physiochemical quality of the optimized biodiesel was examined in accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM D6751 testing method.

Potassium catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3 to produce biodiesel


 Biodiesel production is carried out through homogeneous catalysis that forms complex reaction mixtures and has high operating costs. The aim of this work is to synthesize basic, active and selective heterogeneous catalysts for the transesterification reaction with vegetable oils employing g-alumina as support and potassium as active species. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The amount of catalyst used in the reaction was scanned in a range of 1-10% w, obtaining a maximum conversion of 85% at 55 °C with 6.5% w/w of catalyst with respect to the reagent load and with a methanol-oil molar ratio of 6: 1, reaching equilibrium conversion at six hours. The catalysts were tested at 40, 45, 50 and 55 °C in the transesterification reaction using refined sunflower oil and anhydrous methanol as reagents in a 6: 1 ratio. The 40% K catalyst obtained the best conversion at 55 °C with 85% and showed a selectivity of 45%.

The Effects of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Concentration and Reaction Temperature on The Properties of Biodiesel from Philippine Tung (Reutealis Trisperma) Seeds

Philippine Tung (Reutealis trisperma) is an indigenous nut that is a relatively new feedstock for producing biodiesel in Indonesia. The nature of NaOH base catalyst and reaction temperature plays an important role in the method of biodiesel production. This study aimed to assess the effects of different percentages of NaOH base catalyst and reaction temperature on physicochemical properties of Philippine Tung biodiesel. Transesterification process was carried out by reacting Philippine Tung oil with methanol and NaOH catalyst. NaOH weight to oil weight was at 0.25%, 0.5%,0.75% and 1%, the reaction temperature set up were at 60°C and 70°C, while methanol-oil molar ratio was set at 6:1. Yield, acid value, saponification value, density, and viscosity of biodiesel were significantly influenced by NaOH catalyst concentrations. Meanwhile reaction temperature had no effect on the yield and viscosity. Philippine Tung biodiesel produced using 0.25% NaOH catalyst met the SNI 04-7182-2015 biodiesel standard of the properties investigated in this study (yield: 96.18%, acid value: 0.466 mg KOH/g, saponification value: 200.083 mg KOH/g, density: 0.889 g/mL, viscosity: 5.276 cSt).

Synthesis and Characterization of Heterogeneous Solid Acid Catalyst from Alstonia scolaris Stalks for Biodiesel Production using Waste Cooking Oil

Background: Waste biomass derived reusable heterogeneous acid based catalysts are more suitable to overcome the problems associated with homogeneous catalysts. The use of agricultural biomass as catalyst for transesterification process is more economical and it reduces the overall production cost of biodiesel. The identification of an appropriate suitable catalyst for effective transesterification will be a landmark in biofuel sector Objective: In the present investigation, waste wood biomass was used to prepare a low cost sulfonated solid acid catalyst for the production of biodiesel using waste cooking oil. Methods: The pretreated wood biomass was first calcined then sulfonated with H2SO4. The catalyst was characterized by various analyses such as, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The central composite design (CCD) based response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to study the influence of individual process variables such as temperature, catalyst load, methanol to oil molar ration and reaction time on biodiesel yield. Results: The obtained optimized conditions are as follows: temperature (165 ˚C), catalyst loading (1.625 wt%), methanol to oil molar ratio (15:1) and reaction time (143 min) with a maximum biodiesel yield of 95 %. The Gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil was showed that it has a mixture of both monounsaturated and saturated methyl esters. Conclusion: Thus the waste wood biomass derived heterogeneous catalyst for the transesterification process of waste cooking oil can be applied for sustainable biodiesel production by adding an additional value for the waste materials and also eliminating the disposable problem of waste oils.

The role of rehydration in enhancing the basic properties of Mg–Al hydrotalcites for biodiesel production

An Mg–Al hydrotalcite with a Mg/Al molar ratio of 3 was prepared via co-precipitation. The XRD and FTIR analyses proved the presence of the hydrotalcite structure in the uncalcined solid, its destruction after calcination and its reconstruction after rehydration. TG-DSC analyses revealed a higher thermal stability of the rehydrated solids compared to the uncalcined solid. CO2-TPD analyses showed the presence of stronger and more abundant basic sites for the rehydrated solids. All prepared solids were then tested in the transesterification of sunflower oil [catalyst to oil ratio (CTOR) of 10 wt%, methanol to oil molar ratio (MOMR) of 12:1, temperature of 60 °C and reaction time of 2 h]. The uncalcined and calcined solids all exhibited low activities as evidenced by very low FAME yields (<1.5%). The catalytic activity was significantly improved for most of the rehydrated solids due to their higher basicity. Calcination of the fresh Mg–Al solid at 450 °C followed by subsequent rehydration (Mg6Al2-450RH) allowed the obtainment of a FAME yield of 56%. No biodiesel was formed in the presence of the rehydrated catalysts previously calcined at temperatures greater than 500 °C due to a reduced “memory effect”. The effects of reaction conditions such as the duration of rehydration treatment, reaction temperature, MOMR and CTOR on the activity of Mg6Al2-450RH were also studied. The obtained results in this work demonstrate the potential of rehydrated Mg–Al solids for biodiesel production. They could also be useful for optimizing the preparation conditions of reconstructed hydrotalcites as basic catalysts and contribute to the search for ideal conditions for biodiesel production.

Low-cost alternative biodiesel production apparatus based on household food blender for continuous biodiesel production for small communities

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are sustainable biofuel that can alleviate high oil costs and environmental impacts of petroleum-based fuel. A modified 1200 W high-efficiency food blender was employed for continuous transesterification of various refined vegetable oils and waste cooking oil (WCO) using sodium hydroxide as a homogeneous catalyst. The following factors have been investigated on their effects on FAME yield: baffles, reaction volume, total reactant flow rate, methanol-oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration and reaction temperature. Results indicated that the optimal conditions were: 2000 mL reaction volume, 50 mL/min total flow rate, 1% and 1.25% catalyst concentration for refined palm oil and WCO, respectively, 6:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio and 62–63 °C, obtaining yield efficiency over 96.5% FAME yield of 21.14 × 10–4 g/J (for palm oil) and 19.39 × 10–4 g/J (for WCO). All the properties of produced FAMEs meet the EN 14214 and ASTM D6751 standards. The modified household food blender could be a practical and low-cost alternative biodiesel production apparatus for continuous biodiesel production for small communities in remote areas.

Biodiesel production by two step process from an energy source of Chrysophyllum albidum oil using homogeneous catalyst

Due to the exhaustion of fossil diesel, it has become necessary to discover alternative diesel fuel from non edible sources and suitable technology to obtain biodiesel as alternative fuel. In this research work, two step processes was carried out for biodiesel production from a non edible source of Chrysophyllum albidum seed. The lipids were extracted using a mixed solvent by the superheated extractor and the fatty acids compositions were characterized by gas chromatography (GC). Chrysophyllum albidum seed oil first undergoes an esterification reaction using H2SO4 homogeneous catalyst and transesterification parameter effects such as reaction temperature, catalyst loading, methanol-oil molar ratio, reaction time, and stirring rate were studied. The highest conversion of oil to biodiesel was achieved as 99.2 wt% at the satisfying conditions of 1:9 molar ratio of oil to methanol, 1 wt% of KOH, and 500 rpm of mixing intensity with 40 min of reaction time at 65 °C. The conversion of oil to biodiesel was analysed and confirmed by 1H NMR Spectroscopy and physic-chemical properties were analyzed and compared with the ASTM standards. According to our experimental investication, recommend that Two step process of esterification followed by transesterification process highly suitable for biodiesel production from Chrysophyllum albidum.

Prospects for biodiesel production from Macrotermes nigeriensis: Process optimization and characterization of biodiesel properties

The use of insects as feedstock for biodiesel production has sparsely been studied and very little is known of the fuel properties and engine performance of insect biodiesel. In this study, biodiesel was initially produced from an insect feedstock M. nigeriensis, then its physicochemical properties were characterized. The biodiesel was produced via the three-step process of lipid extraction, acid esterification (1 wt% H2SO4) and alkaline transesterification (0.5 wt% NaOH). The optimal reaction time, temperature and methanol-oil molar ratio for the acid-esterification process resulted in a free fatty acid conversion of 96.58%. The volumetric yield, fatty acid methyl esters content and physicochemical properties of M. nigeriensis biodiesel were analyzed using various analytical equipment such as the GC-HRMS, and 1H NMR. Analysis of the production process showed that 86.54 vol% biodiesel was obtained from M. nigeriensis oil. Further analysis showed that the biodiesel contained 96.72% fatty acid methyl esters. The composition of the fatty acid methyl esters was found to be 48% saturated esters and 52% monosaturated esters. The biodiesel density (841 kg m−3), viscosity (2.32 mm2 s−1), flash point (125 °C), pour point (−15 °C), cetane number (51.4), higher heating value (41.8 MJ kg−1) and acid value (0.44 mgKOH.g−1) were in compliance with the ASTM D6751 standards. One of the important results to highlight is the remarkably low viscosity of the biodiesel, which is attributed to the high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acid methyl esters. Lower viscosity of fuel helps to improve fuel atomization and combustion efficiency, and hence lower emissions. The absence of polyunsaturated fatty acid esters also indicates that the biodiesel will have good oxidation stability.

Optimisation of biodiesel production from dairy effluent scum using calcined egg shell as a transesterification catalyst

The production of biodiesel from dairy effluent scum using calcined egg shell as the transesterification catalyst has been explored. Eggshell powder was calcined at 900 °C for 3 h and used as catalyst. The influence of methanol-oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration and reaction temperature were studied using Response Surface Methodology employing a Central Composite Rotatable Design. An empirical model that relates the yield of biodiesel to the studied factors was obtained. The model has high statistical significance at 95% confidence interval with R2 and adjusted R2 values of 96.31% and 95.75% respectively. Results showed that among the three studied factors, the methanol-oil molar ratio had the greatest contribution to the yield of dairy effluent scum derived biodiesel followed by reaction temperature and finally, the catalyst concentration. Significant interaction effects were also present between methanol-oil ratio and catalyst, catalyst and reaction temperature and methanol-oil ratio and reaction temperature. Accordingly, the optimal variable settings were 14.355:1 methanol-oil molar ratio, 3.09% catalyst loading by weight of pre-treated dairy scum oil and 55.20°C reaction temperature; with a corresponding yield of 92.72%.

Transesterification of &lt;em&gt;Jatropha curcas &lt;/em&gt;Oil by using K impregnated CaO Heterogeneous Catalyst

Growing environmental concern and fast depletion of conventional fossil fuel resources have induced an urgent search for alternative energy sources. In this regard, biodiesel from Jatropha curcas oil (a non-edible oil), seems to be a very promising alternative. Though a lot of research is already done in catalytic transesterification, in the present work, conversion of high FFA (5.5%) bearing Jatropha oil to biodiesel was carried out using synthesized KF/CaO catalyst. The novelty of this heterogeneous catalyst is the omission of two major steps — neutralization step in which acid is used followed by transesterification using the basic homogeneous catalyst. This present KF/CaO is easily prepared from cheap chemicals and is safe for the environment. Catalytic transesterification of this oil was studied with different reaction parameters to achieve a 97% conversion. Optimization of conditions (methanol-oil molar ratio, catalyst amount, reaction time, and temperature) was also established. The present work makes the process not only safer to the environment but also shows the gateway for greener alternatives to the energy of high FFA oils.