Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering (Dec 2022)
An application of non-edible oils, bio-base catalyst, and process optimization as an economical route for a hybridized oil biodiesel synthesis
Abstract
The study synthesized biodiesel from non-edible seed oils using a base catalyst derived from agricultural wastes. Oil extraction was carried out using continuous extraction process, and the physicochemical properties of the oil were determined prior to mixing using API gravity to determined the blend ratio. The base catalyst was developed from the powdered waste peels, and were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET adsorption analysis, and Hammett indicator. Process optimization was carried out by considering varaibles such as: reaction time (60–80 min), catalyst amount (2–4 g), reaction temperature (60–80 °C), and methanol/oil molar (5–7 vol/vol) ratio using response surface methodology (RSM). The strength of the recycled calcined mixed powder (CMP) developed was tested via catalyst reusability test.Results showed oil mixed ratio of 29:50:21, the major element was K2O = 75.65% as found in CMP. Process optimization predicted a biodiesel yield of 96.63 (% wt.) at a reaction time of 80 min, CMP amount of 3.53 (g), reaction temperature of 90 °C, and CH3OH/OMR of 9:1 (ml/ml), at the desirability of 95.10% with p-value<0.0001. This value was validated in triplicate, an average mean value of 96.50 (% wt.) was obtained. The coefficient of determination (R-square) was 99.94%, and predicted coefficient of determination (R-square adjusted) was 99.99%. The strength of the recycled catalyst showed the catalyst is reuseable, and the produced biodiesel properties conform to the biodiesel recommended standard.The study concluded that the CMP successfully converted mixed oil to biodiesel, and the biodiesel can replaced conventional diesel when blend.
