Methyl Ester Production Research Articles

Process optimization for biodiesel production from neutralized waste cooking oil and the effect of this biodiesel on engine performance

In this study, the methyl ester production process from neutralized waste cooking oils is optimized by using alkali-catalyzed (KOH) single-phase reaction. The optimization process is performed depending on the parameters, such as catalyst concentration, methanol/oil ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time. The optimum methyl ester conversion efficiency was 90.1% at the optimum conditions of 0.7 wt% of potassium hydroxide, 25 wt% methanol/oil ratio, 90 min reaction time and 60°C reaction temperature. After the fuel characteristics of the methyl ester obtained under optimum conditions were determined, the effect on engine performance, CO and NOx emissions of methyl ester was investigated in a diesel engine with a single cylinder and direct injection. When compared to diesel fuel, engine power and torque decreased when using methyl ester, and specific fuel consumption increased. NOx emission increases at a rate of 18.4% on average through use of methyl ester.

Optimization of methyl ester production from Prunus Amygdalus seed oil using response surface methodology and Artificial Neural Networks

Abstract This research work investigated the optimization of biodiesel production from Sweet Almond (Prunus amygdalus) Seed oil (SASO) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) models through base (NaOH) transesterification. The Central Composite Design (CCD) optimization conditions were temperature (30 °C to 70 °C), catalyst concentration (0.5%w/w to 2.5% w/w), reaction time (45 min–65 min) and oil/methanol molar ratio (1:3 mol/mol to 1:7 mol/mol). The physico-chemical properties of the seed oil and the methyl ester were carried out using standard methods. The fatty acids were determined using GC-MS and characterized using FT-IR techniques. An optimized biodiesel yield of 94.36% from the RSM and 95.45% from the ANN models respectively were obtained at catalyst concentration of 1.5w/w%, reaction time of 65 min, oil/methanol molar ratio of 1:5 mol/mol and temperature of 50 °C. The quality of the RSM model was analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Model statistics of the ANN showed comfortable values of Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 6.005, Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 2.786 and Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) of 1.89306. The RSM and ANN models gave coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9446 and correlation coefficient (R) of 0.96637 respectively.

Optimization of biodiesel production from wet microalgal biomass by direct transesterification using the surface response methodology

Abstract The production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs, biodiesel) was optimized from wet Nannochloropsis gaditana microalgal biomass (81.8 wt% water and 28.1 wt% saponifiable lipids, SLs, from the dry biomass). FAME production was carried out by direct acid-catalyzed methylation of the SLs from the microalgal biomass and FAME extraction with hexane. A three-variable, three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied to optimize the sulphuric acid (catalyst) concentration, the methanol/SL ratio and the hexane/SL ratio. The best FAME yield was obtained with a methanol/SL ratio of 254 mL/g, a sulphuric acid concentration of 3.7% (v/v) and a hexane/SL ratio of 107.7 mL/g at 100 °C and for 105 min. Under these conditions, 100% of the SLs were transformed into FAMEs. Finally, the FAME purity was increased from 78.7 to 86.8 wt% using an adsorption treatment with bentonite.

Evaluation of Methyl Ester Production Using Cement as a Heterogeneous Catalyst

This experiment is an investigation of used cooking oil as a sustainable and renewable resource for methyl ester production. with more than 95.5% production yield, thermally activated hydrated cement has been carefully discussed as a catalyst in the transesterification of used cooking oil into methyl ester to use waste cement as a heterogeneous catalyst for methyl ester production through electrolysis method. Acetone as a co-solvent was added to the reaction system for mass transfer-intensification. Theoretically, electrolysis can convert any biodegradable waste into biodiesel, as well as other by-products such as glycerol. In transesterification through electrolysis, OH- ions are produced in the cathode and turn into nucleophile (CH3O-) which lead to the production of biodiesel through attacking carbon UCO. The maximum free fatty methyl ester yield was obtained under the optimized conditions of 7:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 10wt.% amount of co-solvent, in the range 300rpm, calcination temperature 750℃, 30V, amount of catalyst 12wt.% within 2h. Methyl ester production was done at room temperature in the absence of saponification. The physical and fuel properties contents of the synthetized biodiesel were characterized applying EN standard method.

EFFECTS OF THE EU BIOFUEL USE DIRECTIVE ON THE RURAL AREA DEVELOPMENT IN POLAND

The directives obligating the use of renewable energy in transport stimulate the biofuels demand. The aim of the paper was to review the impact of EU directives related to biofuel use on the rural area development in Poland. The research scope covered the rapeseed oil methyl ester production in Poland from 2011 through 2017. The study applies the descriptive comparative methods based on the subject literature as well as data from KOWR, GUS, and PSPO. The findings indicate that the biofuel production not only allows for diversification of energy used in transportation, but also constitutes an important element of the development of rural area. In Poland, the increase in the biofuel demand is conducive to the increase in the agricultural production profitability and reduces disparities in agriculture income. Moreover, it significantly contributes to the increase of feed components supply due to the rape cake production resulting from the oil pressing.

Optimization of methyl esters production from non-edible oils using activated carbon supported potassium hydroxide as a solid base catalyst

The present investigation reports transesterification of non-edible oils, waste cooking oil (WCO) and waste fish oil (WFO) with methanol using activated carbon supported potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a solid base catalyst. Activated carbon was prepared from polyethylene terephthalate waste and loaded with KOH by wet impregnation method to prepare KOH/AC solid base catalyst. X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were utilized to characterize the resulting solid base catalyst. Retention method was utilized to measure the specific surface area of the activated carbon and its derived solid base catalyst, while Hammett indicator method was followed to determine the basic strength of the prepared solid base catalyst. The prepared catalyst has granular and porous structures with a high basicity and a superior catalytic performance for the transesterification reaction. Transesterification reaction variables were arranged to obtain the best biodiesel yield. The highest methyl ester yield from WCO (88.12% w/w with an ester content of 96.68% w/w) was obtained by employing 3.5 wt.% KOH/AC catalyst, 9:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 65 °C reaction temperature, the reaction time of 180 min and the stirring rate of 600 rpm, while maximum methyl ester yield from WFO (92.66% w/w with 96.98% w/w ester content) was produced with 3.0 wt.% KOH/AC catalyst, 9:1 methanol to oil molar ratio at 65 °C for 150 minutes of the reaction and 600 rpm. The prepared solid base catalyst was recoverable and thermally stable giving a yield of 70 wt.% after the 5th cycle. The fuel properties of the raw oils were significantly enhanced after transesterification with methanol in the presence of KOH/AC, and were in conformity with the ASTM D 6751 limits as well. Therefore, the prepared KOH/AC composite may be considered as a promising solid base catalyst for transesterification of non-edible oils with methanol.

Engineering Yarrowia lipolytica for Sustainable Production of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters Using in Situ Self-Cycled Glycerol as a Carbon Source

On the basis of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase functionally displayed on the cell surface of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast, a new green, integrated, and sustainable bioprocess for fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) production was developed. It couples surface-displayed enzyme generation to enzymatic FAMEs production, in combination with simultaneous regeneration of in situ carbon source for yeast utilization. During FAMEs synthesis, in a one-pot fermentation flask containing growing cells displaying lipase, waste cooking oil, and methanol, the in situ formed byproduct glycerol was used as an alternative carbon source to support further cell growth and lipase generation. The partial consumption of glycerol pushed the reversible reactions (transesterification, esterification, hydrolysis) toward formation of FAMEs. In the growing cells integrated system, the production of FAMEs via hydrolysis–esterification or transesterification–esterification reactions was dependent on the time when methanol was added to the cul...

Fatty acid methyl ester production via ferric sulfate catalyzed interesterification

While biodiesel production is on the rise, so too is the production of the low-value product, glycerol. Interesterification is an alternative reaction that produces fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and avoids the production of glycerol. In this work, ferric sulfate is used as a potential heterogeneous catalyst for interesterification of model triglyceride, triolein, using methyl acetate. Reaction conditions were optimized by varying reaction temperature, methyl acetate to oil mole ratio (MAOMR), catalyst loading, as well as FAME as co-solvents. Additionally, this work also evaluated the effect of typical triglyceride feedstock contaminants, water and free fatty acids (FFA). The optimal reaction conditions were found to be 120 °C, 20:1 MAOMR and a mass loading of 7.5% ferric sulfate with yields up to 83%. The addition of FAME and water in the system is shown to have potential benefits on reaction rate and yield while FFA addition had mildly negative impacts on initial reaction rate. The results in this work show relatively high yields at mild temperatures and reagents loadings and could be a promising means of alternative FAME production.

Efficient derivatization of methylphosphonic and aminoethylsulfonic acids related to nerve agents simultaneously in soils using trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate for their enhanced, qualitative detection and identification by EI-GC–MS and GC–FPD

Trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (TMO·BF4) has been used in the simultaneous derivatization of phosphonic and 2-aminoethylsulfonic acids related to nerve agents in different soils for their enhanced detection and identification by electron ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (EI-GC–MS). The panel of acids consisted of five Schedule 2 phosphonic acids (methyl methylphosphonic acid, ethyl methylphosphonic acid, isopropyl methylphosphonic acid, pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid and cyclohexyl methylphosphonic acid) along with two sulfonic acids, N,N-diethyl-2-aminoethylsulfonic acid and N,N-diisopropyl-2-aminoethylsulfonic acid. The acids were converted to their corresponding methyl esters at ambient temperature when present at a 10μgg−1 concentration in three separate soils: Virginia type A soil, Ottawa sand and Nebraska EPA soil. The concentration of the acids reflects values typically encountered during proficiency tests (PTs) administered annually by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Derivatization times to yield detectable signals for the methyl ester products for all the acids was found to vary among all three soil samples, however, it was found that generally the most optimal time across all the matrices involved was 3h after the addition of TMO·BF4. Concomitantly, the analysis of the samples was complemented using GC coupled to flame photometric detection (GC–FPD). The inclusion of GC–FPD in the analysis yielded stronger signals for all seven methylated analytes making their detection after merely 3h possible relative to the ones initially obtained with EI-GC–MS. Regarding the three soils employed in our study, a greater methylating efficiency was found in the Virginia type A soil and Ottawa sand yielding results that were significantly larger in magnitude to those found during the same time points for the Nebraska EPA soil sample. Prolonged reaction times (up to 72h) were explored to find the time for the highest yield of methyl ester production were found instead to be deleterious to the process showcasing the importance of the fast yielding nature of the process specifically in situations where time-sensitive analysis is crucial (e.g. OPCW-PT).

Soluble lipase-catalyzed synthesis of methyl esters using a blend of edible and nonedible raw materials.

This work investigates the use of blends of edible and nonedible raw materials as an alternative feedstock to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) production through enzymatic catalysis. As biocatalyst, liquid lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Callera™ Trans L), was used. Under reaction conditions of 35°C, methanol to feedstock molar ratio of 4.5:1 and 1.45% of catalyst load, the best process performance was reached using 9% of water concentration in the medium-yield of 79.9% after 480min of reaction. In terms of use of tallow mixed with soybean oil, the best yield was obtained when 100% of tallow was used in the process-84.6% after 480min of reaction-behavior that was associated with the degree of unsaturation of the feedstock, something by that time, not addressed in papers of the area. The results show that tallow can be used as an alternative to FAME production, catalyzed by soluble lipase.

Production of Jatropha methyl ester by Transesterification process

Production of Jatropha methyl ester by Transesterification process

Lipase catalyzed epoxidation of fatty acid methyl esters derived from unsaturated vegetable oils in absence of carboxylic acid

Nowadays the industrial chemistry reactions rely on green technologies. Enzymes as lipases are increasing its use in diverse chemical processes. Epoxidized fatty acid methyl esters obtained from transesterification of vegetable oils have recently found applications as polymer plasticizer, agrochemical, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food additives. In this research article, grapeseed, avocado and olive oils naturally containing high percents of mono and poly unsaturations were used as starting materials for the production of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters. The effect of lauric acid as an active oxygen carrier was studied on epoxidation reactions where unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters were converted to epoxy fatty acid methyl esters using immobilized Candida antarctica Lipase type B as catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as oxygen donor at mild temperature and pressure conditions. After this study it was confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GC–MS that the addition of lauric acid to the enzymatic reaction is unnecessary to transform the alkenes in to epoxides. It was found that quantitative conversions were possible in despite of a carboxylic acid absence.

Effective biodiesel synthesis from waste cooking oil and biomass residue solid green catalyst

Biodiesel has recently received greater concern as one of the reliable and sustainable source of energy. Production of biodiesel is hampered by both feedstock availability and catalyst system. This work successfully utilized the waste egg shell to develop a bimetallic mixed oxide catalyst, and waste cooking oil characterised by high free fatty acid (FFA) as feedstock, towards methyl ester production under mild reaction condition in one-step transesterification process. The properties of the catalyst were assessed using XRD, BET, SEM, EDX and TPD-CO2. The prepared catalyst was successfully recorded a high biodiesel yield of 92.1% under the optimized reaction conditions of 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 3 wt% catalyst loading, 80 °C reaction temperature and 3 h reaction time. The recovered catalyst was reused in five cycles without significant loss in activity. The leaching of catalytic Ca2+ active site was reduced when transition bimetallic mixed oxides were added to the CaO surface.

Synthesis and Physicochemical Study of Methyl Ester from Black and Castor Seed Oil Admixture

There is increasing effort in biodiesel production (fatty acid methyl ester) because of the depleting fossil fuel resources as well as similarity in properties when compared to those of diesel fuels. Diesel engines operated on biodiesel have lower emissions of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and air toxics than those operated on petroleum-based diesel fuel. Herein we reported the optimization of Black and Castor oils methyl esters production via KOH catalyzed transesterification under various superintended conditions. The optimum yield, temperature, catalyst concentration and reaction time found to be 97%, 60°C, 1.0% (wt of crude black/castor oil) and 45 minutes respectively. A number of the fuel properties (viscosity, specific gravity and flash point) were measured according to standard methods, and were found to conform to international standards.

Cu2+ Montmorillonite K10 Clay Catalyst as a Green Catalyst for Production of Stearic Acid Methyl Ester: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Clay catalyst has received much attention to replace the homogeneous catalysts in the esterification reaction to produce fatty acid methyl ester as the source of biodiesel as it is low cost, easily available, as well as environmental friendly. However, the use of unmodified clay, in particular montmorillonite K10 (MMT K10), for the esterification of fatty acids showed that the acid conversion was less than 60% and this is not preferable to the production of biodiesel. In this study, synthesis of stearic acid methyl ester using Cu2+-MMT K10 (Cu-MMT K10) was successfully optimized via response surface methodo-logy (RSM) based on 3-variable of Box-Behnken design (BB). The parameters were; reaction time (5-180 minutes), reaction temperature (80-120 oC) and concentration of Cu2+ in MMT K10 (0.25-1 M). The use of RSM in optimizing the conversion of stearic acid was successfully developed as the actual experimental conversion of stearic acid was found similar to the actual values under the optimum conditions. The model equation predicted that the following conditions would generate the maximum conversion of stearic acid (87.05 %reaction time of 62 minutes, a reaction temperature of 80 oC and catalyst used is 1.0 M Cu-MMT K10. This finding can be considered as green catalytic process as it worked at moderate reaction temperature using low cost clay catalyst with a short reaction time.

Utilization of multiple lipid sources in the production of biodiesel by using lipase nanoparticles from Candida rugosa in a nonaqueous system

One of the major challenges for the sustainable fatty acid methyl or ethyl ester (FAME/EE, a.k.a biodiesel) production is the smart utilization of low‐cost feedstocks, e.g., waste cooking oil (WCO), brown grease, or algal lipids. Although traditional catalyst systems could be used to transform such feedstocks into biodiesel, some well‐established drawbacks are associated with their use. Alternatively, lipases can convert the FFA‐rich feedstocks into FAME/EE in a manner with less environmental impact. However, low enzyme activity in organic solvents and high cost remain challenging for the industrial application of lipase nanoparticles. In this study, we are addressing these drawbacks of lipase by developing lipase nanoparticles (LNP), cross‐linked lipase nanoparticles (CLNP), and immobilized LNP on iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP). Lipase from Candida rugosa was selected as an economic widely available source and purified to ca. >90%. Different formulations of nanoparticles were formed, and detailed surface and morphological characterizations were performed by using the various microscopy techniques, e.g., scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, dynamic‐light‐scattering, and magnetic properties by the vibrating‐sample magnetometer. For structural characterization, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction were used. Identification of fatty acid esters was done by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer. The activity of the LNP, CLNP, and LNP‐IONP formulations increased 10‐, 20‐, and 32‐fold in n‐hexane, 18‐, 42‐, and 54‐fold in 1,4 dioxane, and 13‐, 29‐, and 43‐fold in THF, respectively, compared to free lipase. Detailed analysis of fatty acid ester formation was performed using the different combinations of substrates (WCO and brown grease, methanol and ethanol), lipase formulations (free lipase, LNP, CLNP, and LNP‐IONP), and solvent systems (hexane, 1,4 dioxane, THF, and t‐butanol). The nanoparticulate lipase formulations converted a high percentage of fatty acid esters into biodiesel in less time and the overall operational stability of the system improved considerably.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Synthesis of Methyl Esters from Silk Cotton Tree Seed Kernel Oil Using Dimethyl Carbonate and KOH Catalysis

Silk cotton seed kernel oil is given as a new source for methyl ester synthesis. Crude silk cotton oil was used as feedstock raw materials for methyl ester production using dimethyl carbonate as solvent and KOH catalysis. The maximum methyl esters yield produced as 97% with a kinematic viscosity (4.25 ± 0.2 5 mm2/sec) was reached at 80 °C by boiling a mixture of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and oil mole ratio as 8:1 with 1.5 wt.% KOH catalyst (oil weight based ) for 75 min. The produced products were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the methyl esters. The properties of the methyl esters from silk cottonseed kernel oil produced met the specifications of ASTM for methyl esters. The kinetics of the KOH-catalyzed transesterification of diglyceride (DG) and triglyceride (TG) with DMC were studied at 40 to 90 °C. We found that the activation energies for transesterification of diglycerides and triglycerides were 89.8 and 83.3 kJ/mol, respectively. The results showed that all the reaction variables studied had beneficial effects.

Production of Biodiesel from Thespesiapopulnea seed oil through rapid in situ transesterification - an optimization study and assay of fuel properties

Biodiesel production was carried out from Thespesia populnea seed oil through rapid insitu transesterification. Influence of reaction parameters such as catalyst type and concentration, methanol to biomass ratio, co-solvent volume, temperature and agitation speed on conversion of oil into methyl esters was investigated. The effect of different co-solvents on conversion was evaluated. Optimum methyl ester conversion of 97.80% was achieved at 1.5wt% of KOH catalyst, 5.5:1 (v/w) methanol to biomass ratio, 25vol%tetrahydrofuranco-solvent, 60°C and 500 rpm within 120min of reaction time. Fuel properties of produced methyl esters were well fitted within the limits of ASTMD 6751 standards. Considering the properties of produced biodiesel, Thespesia populnea seed derived biodiesel can be used as potential alternate to fossil diesel fuel.

Biodiesel production process optimization from Pithecellobium dulce seed oil: Performance, combustion, and emission analysis on compression ignition engine fuelled with diesel/biodiesel blends

Production of methyl esters from Pithecellobium dulce seed oil (PDSO) is carried out through transesterification process. As free fatty acid (FFA) content in PDSO is 2.12%, alkaline based potassium hydroxide (KOH) catalyst is used for yielding methyl ester from PDSO. The effect of four process variables, such as molar ratio (oil: methanol), reaction temperature, catalyst loading and reaction time on the maximum yield of Pithecellobium dulce seed oil methyl ester (PDSOME) is studied and process optimization has been executed using response surface methodology (RSM) based Box-Behnken design (BBD). An optimized PDSOME yield of 93.24% is achieved at 1:6 molar ratio, 60 °C reaction temperature, 0.8 wt.% catalyst and reaction time of 90 min. The estimated fuel properties of PDSOME met with the ASTM D6751 standards. Engine tests were conducted for PDSOME, its blends (20, 40, 60 and 80 vol.%) and compared with diesel. The drop in cylinder pressure, heat release rate (HRR) and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) were observed for the PDSOME and its blends. Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) is increased and consequent reduction in brake thermal efficiency (BTE) is found for PDSOME and its blends. The exhaust emissions of CO, HC and NOx were decreased while CO2 and smoke intensity were increased with increase in PDSOME blending percentage in comparison with diesel fuel.

Two-step methyl ester production and characterization from the broiler rendering fat: The optimization of the first step

Abstract In this study, broiler rendering fat obtained from a slaughterhouse was used to produce methyl ester. The acid value of the broiler rendering fat was 5.2 mg KOH g−1. Therefore, it was needed to perform two-step treatment to broiler rendering fat. For this purpose, sulfuric acid was used as a catalyst and methanol was used as alcohol for the first treatment reactions. The variables affecting the free fatty acid level including the ratio of alcohol, catalyst amount, and reaction time were investigated to determine the best strategy for the first step process. After reducing the free fatty acid level of the broiler rendering fat to less than 1%, the transesterification reaction was completed with the alkaline catalyst. Potassium hydroxide was used as catalyst and methanol was used as alcohol for transesterification reaction. The measured fuel properties of the broiler rendering fat methyl ester (BRFME) were compared to EN 14214:2012 + A1:2014 and ASTM D6751–15 biodiesel standards. The BRFME meet ASTM D6751–15 biodiesel standard. Also, the BRFME meets EN 14214:2012 + A1:2014 biodiesel standard except for oxidation stability. According to the results, the oxidation stability property of the BRFME should be improved and should be investigated in detail.