Biodiesel Production Via Heterogeneous Transesterification Of Palm Olein And Waste Oils
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Date
2011-07
Authors
Maniam, Gaanty Pragas
Journal Title
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
In the present work, attempts have been made to use calcium oxide (CaO) as a heterogeneous catalyst in the transesterification of triglycerides with methanol to produce methyl esters (biodiesel) as the main product. Laboratory CaO as well as waste CaO from the shells of crabs (Scylla serrata) and cockles (Anadara granosa) have been successfully utilized as catalysts to transesterify palm olein as well as waste adsorbed oil from SBC and chicken oil. In order to enhance the catalytic activity, the catalysts have to be calcined at 900 °C for 2 h. Upon calcination the catalysts transformed to CaO from the initial CaCO3 structure. The optimal reaction conditions were found to be: 5 wt.% catalyst amount (based on oil weight) and 0.5:1 methanol to oil mass ratio for all the catalysts and under these reaction conditions, over 98% methyl esters content was achieved in a 3 h reaction period at the reflux temperature of methanol. This experimental optimization was well validated statistically using response surface methodology. Furthermore, the mixed-catalyst of crab and cockle shells at a 1:1 weight ratio showed similar activity as the individual catalysts. The mixed-catalyst could be reused up to nine times, after simple solvent (methanol and n-hexane) washing and calcination steps to meet the minimal methyl esters content of 96.5%, as required by the EN 14103 standard. In addition, the mixed-catalyst exhibits good tolerance towards the presence of 3% water and up to 4% free fatty acid. The methyl esters produced using the catalysts were found to conform to all the key specifications of biodiesel.
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Keywords
Biodiesel production via heterogeneous transesterification , of palm olein and waste oils