Standardization of non-edible Pongamia pinnata oil methyl ester conversion using hydroxyl content and GC–MS analysis

Biodiesel production from Sisymbrium irio as a potential novel biomass waste feedstock using homemade titania catalyst

Biomass waste streams are a possible feedstock for a range of eco-friendly products and a crucial alternative energy source for achieving carbon neutrality; therefore, the efficient management of biomass waste has taken on a greater significance in recent years. Due to its well-comparable physic-chemical properties with fossil diesel, biodiesel is a potential substitute for fossil fuel. This study aimed to synthesize biodiesel from the widely available non-edible seed oil of Sisymbrium irio L. (a member of the Brassicaceae family) via a transesterification procedure over a homemade TiO2 catalyst. At 1:16 oil to methanol ratio, 93% biodiesel yield was obtained over 20 mg catalyst at 60 °C and 60 min. The ASTM methods were used to analyze the fuel properties. The quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed by FT-IR, GC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy. GC-MS study confirms 16 different types of fatty acids of methyl esters. FT-IR analysis showed important peaks that confirm the successful occurrence of biodiesel. 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR showed important peaks for converting triglycerides into corresponding FAMEs. The acid value (0.42 mg KOH/mg/kg), flash point (106 °C), and water content (0.034) of biodiesel are below the specified limit of ASTM D6751 whereas kinetic viscosity (3.72 mm2/s), density (0.874 kg/L), cloud point (- 4.3 °C) and pour point (- 9.6 °C) and high heating value (41.62 MJ/kg) fall within the specified range of ASTM D6751 test limit. The Unsaturation degree and oxidative stability of biodiesel are above ASTM D6751 test limit. The physic-chemical properties of the SIB confirm that it is eco-friendly fuel and a competitive source for manufacturing biodiesel on a commercial scale. Furthermore, the SIB is engine friendly and has good fuel efficacy.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Biofuel From Cocklebur sp., Using Zinc Oxide Nano-Particle: A Novel Energy Crop for Bioenergy Industry

This study is reporting the biofuel synthesis and characterization from the novel non-edible feedstock cocklebur seeds oil. The Cocklebur crop seeds oil was studied as a potential source for biofuel production based on the chemical, structural and fuel properties analysis. The oil expression and FFAs content in cocklebur crop was reported 37.2% and 0.47 gram KOH/g, using soxhlet apparatus and acid base titration method, respectively. The maximum conversion and yield of the cocklebur crop seeds non-edible oil to biofuel was pursued 93.33%, using transesterification process. The optimum protocol for maximum conversion yield was adjusted: 1:7 oil-methanol molar ratios, ZnO nano-particle concentration 0.2 gm (w/w), reaction temperature 60°C, and reaction time 45 min, respectively. ZnO nano-particle was prepared by a modified sol-gel method, using gelatin and the particle was XRD, TEM, XPS, and UV-vis spectroscopies. Qualitatively, the cocklebur crop synthesized biofuel was quantified and structurally characterized by GC/MS, FT-IR, NMR, and AAS spectroscopies. Quantitatively, the fuel properties of cocklebur crop biofuel was analyzed and compared with the international ASTM and EN standards.

Study of calcined eggshell as potential catalyst for biodiesel formation using used cooking oil

Eggshells were utilized as a cost effective catalyst to assist in biodiesel formation. Eggshells were calcined using different calcination conditions such as temperature and time. The eggshells underwent calcination under 1000 °C in which calcium carbonate was completely converted into calcium oxide under open air conditions. The calcined eggshell catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Then the eggshell derived CaO catalyst was subjected to transesterification of used cooking oil (UCO). The parametrics in the transesterification of used cooking oil such as a methanol to oil ratio, weight of catalyst and reaction temperature were evaluated. The optimum result exhibited a 4:1 methanol to oil ratio, 2wt % catalyst, and a 65 °C reaction temperature within two hours. Pure calcined CaO acted as the control of the experiment that was subject to the most optimum eggshell derived catalyst transesterification conditions. The catalytic activity for both the pure calcined CaO and the calcined eggshell derived catalyst were comparable. The biodiesel formation was identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Characterization of Leucaena (

For the first time, we report the characterization of triacylglycerols and fatty acids in Leucaena (Leucaena leucephala) oil [LUCO], an unexplored nontraditional non-medicinal plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. LUCO was converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). We analyzed the triacylglycerols (TAGs) of pure LUCO and their FAMEs by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) followed by multivariate analysis for discrimination among the FAMEs. Our investigations for the analysis of LUCO samples represent noble features of glycerides. A new type of ion source, coupled with high-resolution TOF-MS was applied for the comprehensive analysis of triacylglycerols. The composition of fatty acid based LUCO oil was studied using Gas Chromatography (GC-FID). The major fatty acid components of LUCO oil are linoleic acid (52.08%) oleic acid (21.26%), palmitic acid (7.91%) and stearic acid (6.01%). A metal analysis in LUCO was done by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The structural elucidation and thermal stability of LUCO were studied by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques and TGA-DSC, respectively. We also measured the cytotoxicity of LUCO.