Utilisation of Non-Edible Source (Pongamia pinnata Seeds Shells) for Producing Methyl Esters as Cleaner Fuel in the Presence of a Novel Heterogeneous Catalyst Synthesized from Waste Eggshells

Abstract

Waste eggshells were considered for synthesising a precursor (CaO) for a heterogeneous catalyst, further impregnated by alkali caesium oxide (Cs2O). The following techniques were used to characterise the synthesised catalysts: X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Temperature Programmed Desorption (CO2-TPD). The synthesised catalyst revealed its suitability for transesterification to produce biodiesel. The biodiesel production process was optimised, and it showed that the optimal biodiesel yield is 93.59%. The optimal set of process parameters is process temperature 80 °C, process time 90 min, methanol-to-oil molar ratio 8 and catalyst loading 3 wt.%. It has been found that the high basicity of the catalyst tends to give a high biodiesel yield at low methanol-to-oil ratio 8 when the reaction time is also less (90 min). The fuel properties of biodiesel also satisfied the standard limits defined by ASTM and the EN standards. Thus, the synthesised catalyst from waste eggshells is highly active, improved the biodiesel production conditions and PPSS oil is a potential nonedible source.

RSM modelling and optimization for performance evaluation of biodiesel production process from livistona jenkinsiana using NaOH as a catalyst

“…As a result, predicting the precise effect of temperature becomes complex. Initially, the yield of biodiesel exhibits an upward trend with increasing temperature [46]. The lower yield observed at lower temperatures can be attributed to the subcritical state of methanol under such conditions [47].…”

Biodiesel Production via Transesterification Reaction over Mono- and Bimetallic Copper-Noble Metal (Pt, Ru) Catalysts Supported on BEA Zeolite

“…In addition, an important feature of heterogeneous catalysts is the possibility of their regeneration [14]. The most commonly used heterogeneous catalysts are alkali metal oxides (e.g., CaO, MgO and BaO) and transition metal oxides (e.g., ZrO 2 , MnO, ZnO and MoO), which are used directly or in a modified form [20]. Zeolites play a fundamental role as reaction catalysts in the conversion of biologically derived molecules into biofuels, chemicals and other materials [21].…”