Production of biodiesel from non-edible feedstocks using environment friendly nano-magnetic Fe/SnO catalyst

Abstract

Environmental problems associated with chemical catalysts to fulfil an ever-increasing energy demand have led to the search for an alternative environment friendly heterogeneous catalyst. If a catalyst being used in the biodiesel production is not environment friendly, then the environment is being contaminated in another way while trying to avoid pollution caused by burning of fossil fuels. The present study reports the use of nano-magnetic catalyst Fe/SnO supported on feldspar for the transesterification of various non-edible feedstocks oil, including Pongamiapinnata (karanja), Carthamusoxyacantha (wild safflower), Citrulluscolocynthis (bitter apple), Sinapisarvensis (wildmustard) and Ricinuscommunis (castor). The optimized transesterification parameter was oil to methanol ratio (1:5, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20 and 1:25), catalyst amount (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5%), temperature (40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C), and reaction times (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min). The biodiesel yield was found to be more than 97% for all the tested feedstocks with a maximum biodiesel yield of 98.1 ± 0.6% obtained for bitter apple seed oil under optimum conditions (oil to methanol ratio of 1:10, catalyst amount of 1% at 50 °C for 120 min). The catalysts used for transesterification were magnetically extracted after completion of the reaction. Different physico-chemical parameters like pour point, density, cloud point, iodine value, acid value, saponification and cetane number were determined and the quality of all the biodiesel samples were found to be in the standard range (ASTM D6751 and EN 1404). Different techniques like XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDX were used to characterize the prepared nano-magnetic (Fe/SnO/Feldspar) catalyst.

Advancement in utilization of magnetic catalysts for production of sustainable biofuels

“…However, after the eighth cycle, the biodiesel yield decreased significantly, possibly due to leaching of the active components or active site blocking. In a more recent study by Hanif et al (2022) , a magnetic Fe/SnO nanocatalyst supported on feldspar was synthesized for the transesterification of various non-edible oils. The magnetic catalyst exhibited a high catalytic activity with more than 97% yield for all the tested non-edible oils.…”

Toward a Resilient Future: The Promise of Microbial Bioeconomy

“…The utilisation of microorganisms in the production of goods and services dates back to ancient civilisations with examples such as the Egyptians using yeast to bake leavened bread [10]. Recent developments in the microbial bioeconomy have focused on developing new and enhanced microorganisms as well as optimising production processes [11] For example, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology have allowed for the development of microorganisms with enhanced capabilities, such as the ability to produce biofuels from non-edible feedstock [12]. Additionally, advanced fermentation technologies have enabled the creation of high-value products, such as biodegradable plastics and specialty chemicals [13].…”

Statistical optimization of ultrasound‐assisted biodiesel production from Moringa oleifera oil – waste cooking oil mixture using modified conch shell catalyst

“…One of the main obstacles to the development and use of biodiesel for commercial viability is its high feedstock cost 1,2 . Moringa oleifera shown in Figure 1 belongs to the family Moringaceae is a small, drought‐resistant, deciduous, rapid‐growing tree innate to the Indian subcontinent.…”