The synthesis of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas by transesterification is kinetically controlled. It depends on the molar ratio, reaction time, and temperature, as well as the catalyst nature and quantity. The aim of this study was to explore the transesterification of low-cost, inedible J. curcas seed oil utilizing both homogenous (potassium hydroxide; KOH) and heterogenous (calcium oxide; CaO) catalysis. In this effort, two steps were used. First, free fatty acids in J. curcas oil were reduced from 12.4 to less than 1 wt.% with sulfuric acid-catalyzed pretreatment. Transesterification subsequently converted the oil to biodiesel. The yield of fatty acid methyl esters was optimized by varying the reaction time, catalyst load, and methanol-to-oil molar ratio. A maximum yield of 96% was obtained from CaO nanoparticles at a reaction time of 5.5 h with 4 wt.% of the catalyst and an 18:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio. The optimum conditions for KOH were a molar ratio of methanol to oil of 9:1, 5 wt.% of the catalyst, and a reaction time of 3.5 h, and this returned a yield of 92%. The fuel properties of the optimized biodiesel were within the limits specified in ASTM D6751, the American biodiesel standard. In addition, the 5% blends in petroleum diesel were within the ranges prescribed in ASTM D975, the American diesel fuel standard.
Compared to fossil fuels, renewable fuels (biodiesel) are promising alternatives with similar properties which could reduce the emission of toxic gases and carbon foot print. Biodiesel is mostly used in some developing countries especially in the transportation sector and can be produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, non‐edible oil, and waste cooking oil by different methods. Animal fat and used cooking oil is not feasible for biodiesel production because of numerous problems during production. Catalysts can be selected or synthesized according to the nature of the feedstock. The selection of highly efficient catalysts is necessary to obtain a high yield of biodiesel and their recyclability is also highly important. Different factors affect the transesterification process and analysis of the final biodiesel product is important and necessary to fulfill the requirements of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standards. In this regard, production of biodiesel from different sustainable and renewable resources could be recommended at industrial level. Further research is required to improve the efficiency.
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