Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering (Jun 2023)
Osamilite (K–Na–Ca–Mg–Fe–Al–S): A derived base catalyst for the synthesis of biodiesel from blends of pumpkin seed oil-goat fat-poultry waste fat
Abstract
This study converted the hybridized oil produced from the blend of seed oil and animal wastes fat to biodiesel using a developed catalyst from palm kernel empty burnt bunch ash (PKPKEBBA). The hybridized oil was obtained via specific gravity method and the properties of the oils were determined. The developed catalyst was characterized using SEM, FTIR, XRF-FT, BET-adsorption, and qualitative analysis. Process optimization was carried out using RSM-CCD and ANN-GA with references to four variables namely: reaction period, catalyst conc., reaction temperature, and E-OH/OMR, respectively. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the transesterification reaction was also carried out. The developed catalyst was recycled and reused, while the quality of the biodiesel was examined with a view to determine its potential to replace conventional diesel. Results showed low viscous and acid value of the hybridized oil which was obtained in a single stage conversion. The mix ratio of the hybridized oil was found to be 33:34:33 with respect to pumpkin seed oil, goat fat, and poultry waste fat. The developed heterogeneous catalyst contained CaCO3 as the major element found in the PKEBBA. Process optimization showed that ANN-GA gave a better optimum validated yield of 99.20% (wt./wt.) than RSM-CCD of 98.44% (wt./wt.). Considered design variables were mutually significant at p-value<0.0001. The rate equation constant was 0.0177 min−1, while the thermodynamic parameters at highest temperature (348 K) were ΔGr= 101.38 KJ/mol, ΔHr=-5.82 × 10−5 KJ/mol, and ΔSr= −291.32 KJ/mol. K. The strength of catalyst tested via reusability test showed catalyst reusability test was altered at 7 cycles. The produced biodiesel have fuel properties similar to conventional diesel. The study concluded that the hybridization of oils for biodiesel conversion is viable.
