Biodiesel production from Spirulina algae oil over [Cu(H2PDC)(H2O)2] complex using transesterification reaction: Experimental study and DFT approach

Strontium oxide (SrO) deposited onto a porous titanium (Ti)-based scaffold (P-Ti) is a promising and novel approach for high-throughput transesterification. Notably, a highly porous and calcinated scaffold provides a load-bearable support for a continuous process, while the calcinated SrO catalyst, as it is well distributed inside the porous matrix, can extend its surface contact area with the reactant. In this work, the formation of transesterification reaction with the conversion and production of olive oil to biodiesel inside the porous matrix is particularly examined. The as-designed SrO-coated porous titanium (Ti)-based scaffold with 55% porosity was prepared via a hydrothermal procedure, followed by a dip coating method. Mechanical tests of samples were conducted by a nanoindentator, whereas the physical and chemical structures were identified by IR and Raman Spectroscopies. The results implied that SrO catalysts can be firmly deposited onto a load-bearable, highly porous matrix and play an effective role for the transesterification reaction with the oil mass. It is promising to be employed as a load-bearable support for a continuous transesterification process, such as a process for batch or continuous biodiesel production, under an efficient heating source by a focused microwave system.

Download Full-text

Biodiesel Synthesis Monitoring using Near Infrared Spectroscopy

The Open Chemical Engineering Journal ◽

10.2174/1874123101812010095 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 95-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Estela Kamile Gelinski ◽

Fabiane Hamerski ◽

Marcos Lúcio Corazza ◽

Alexandre Ferreira Santos

Keyword(s):

Fossil Fuels ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Reference Method ◽

Nir Spectroscopy ◽

Transesterification Reaction ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Molar Ratios ◽

External Data ◽

Biodiesel Synthesis ◽

Biodiesel Production Monitoring

Objective: Biodiesel is a renewable fuel considered as the main substitute for fossil fuels. Its industrial production is mainly made by the transesterification reaction. In most processes, information on the production of biodiesel is essentially done by off-line measurements. Methods: However, for the purpose of control, where online monitoring of biodiesel conversion is required, this is not a satisfactory approach. An alternative technique to the online quantification of conversion is the near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, which is fast and accurate. In this work, models for biodiesel reactions monitoring using NIR spectroscopy were developed based on the ester content during alkali-catalyzed transesterification reaction between soybean oil and ethanol. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was employed as the reference method for quantification. FT-NIR spectra were acquired with a transflectance probe. The models were developed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression with synthetic samples at room temperature simulating reaction composition for different ethanol to oil molar ratios and conversions. Model predictions were then validated online for reactions performed with ethanol to oil molar ratios of 6 and 9 at 55ºC. Standard errors of prediction of external data were equal to 3.12%, hence close to the experimental error of the reference technique (2.78%), showing that even without using data from a monitored reaction to perform calibration, proper on-line predictions were provided during transesterification runs. Results: Additionally, it is shown that PLS models and NIR spectra of few samples can be combined to accurately predict the glycerol contents of the medium, making the NIR spectroscopy a powerful tool for biodiesel production monitoring.

Download Full-text