Biodiesel production from used cooking oil using a novel surface functionalised TiO2 nano-catalyst

A novel, efficient and recyclable mesoporous TiO2/PrSO3H solid acid nano-catalyst was synthesised by the post-synthetic grafting of propyl sulfonic acid groups onto a mixed phase of a TiO2 support. The synthesised nano-catalyst was characterised using FTIR, SEM, TEM, XPS, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, XRD, DSC, TGA, and CHNS analysis. The percentage of loading for propyl sulfonic acid on the TiO2 support was calculated using CHNS analysis and TGA. The catalytic performance of TiO2/PrSO3H on the production of the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) via simultaneous esterification and transesterification reactions from used cooking oil (UCO) has been studied. The effects of different process parameters showed that 98.3% of FAME can be obtained after 9 hrs of reaction time with 1:15 molar ratio of oil to methanol, 60 °C reaction temperature and 4.5 wt% catalyst loading. It was also found that the one-pot post-surface functionalisation strategy with hydrophilic functional groups (-SO3H) enhanced the acid strengths of the nano-catalyst providing more acid sites for the reactants, and improving the accessibility of methanol to the triglycerides (TG)/free fatty acids (FFAs) by increasing the pore volumes/sizes of the nano-catalyst. The solid acid nano-catalyst was re-used in four consecutive runs without significant loss of catalytic efficiency. Finally, the synthesised biodiesel fuel satisfied ASTM and EN standards

Biomethanation potential of biological and other wastes

Anaerobic technology has been traditionally applied for the treatment of carbon rich wastewater and organic residues. Anaerobic processes can be fully integrated in the biobased economy concept for resource recovery. After a brief introduction about applications of anaerobic processes to industrial wastewater treatment, agriculture feedstock and organic fraction of municipal solid waste, the position of anaerobic processes in biorefinery concepts is presented. Integration of anaerobic digestion with these processes can help in the maximisation of the economic value of the biomass used, while reducing the waste streams produced and mitigating greenhouse gases emissions. Besides the integration of biogas in the existing full-scale bioethanol and biodiesel production processes, the potential applications of biogas in the second generation lignocellulosic, algae and syngas-based biorefinery platforms are discussed.(undefined

Evaluation of biodiesel blending, engine performance and emissions characteristics of Jatropha curcas methyl ester: Malaysian perspective

Currently, the main crop for biodiesel in Malaysia is palm oil. Recently, Jatropha curcas has drawn the attention of the Malaysian Government. This paper aims to study the feasibility of Jatropha as a potential biodiesel feedstock for Malaysia. Physico-chemical properties of Jatropha biodiesel and its blends with diesel followed by engine performance and emissions characteristics of B10, B20 and B0 were studied. The results show that viscosities of B10 and B20 are closer to diesel. Moreover, only the oxidation stability of B10 and B20 meet the European specifications (EN 590) of 20h. Therefore, only B10 and B20 have been used to evaluate engine performance and emission. Compared to B0, the average reduction in brake power (BP) is 4.67% for B10 and 8.86% for B20. It was observed that brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) increases as the percentage of biodiesel increase. Compared to B0, a reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) emission of 3.84% and 10.25% and carbon monoxide (CO) emission of 16% and 25% was reported using B10 and B20. However, the blends give higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission of 3% and 6% using B10 and B20. As a conclusion, B10 and B20 can be used in a diesel engine without any modifications. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.Associated Grant:The authors would like to acknowledge University of Malaya for financial support through High Impact Research Grant UM.C/HIR/ MOHE/ENG/07

A study on the effects of promising edible and non-edible biodiesel feedstocks on engine performance and emissions production: A comparative evaluation

Global energy demand is increasing due to the population growth and industrialization. In order to fulfill the energy demand with considering global concern, it is necessary to find out alternative fuel sources. Biodiesel is one of the best choices because of its immense potential to be part of energy mix in the near future as well as the capability of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This paper aims to provide information to the engineers, industrialists and researchers who are interested on biodiesel. The paper presents a comprehensive review on the impact of potential biodiesel feedstocks (edible and non-edible) on engine performance and exhaust emissions including details of engine and operating condition. A large number of literatures from highly rated journals in scientific indexes are reviewed including the most recent publications. Most of the authors showed that using biodiesel from various feedstocks in diesel engines slightly lowered brake power and brake thermal efficiency but increases BSFC than diesel fuel. It was also reported that biodiesel significantly reduced the PM, HC, CO and CO2 emissions but gives slightly higher NOx emissions. It was shown that NO x can be reduced by some approaches such as blending with additives and EGR technique. The study concluded that biodiesel can be used in compression ignition engine with no or minor engine modification. Finally biodiesel can be used as a substitute of diesel fuel to fulfill the energy demand, reduce dependency on fossil fuel as well as the exhaust emissions of the engine. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Associated Grant:The authors would like to acknowledge University of Malaya for financial support through High Impact Research Grant UM.C/HIR/ MOHE/ENG/0

Effect of Croton megalocarpus, Calophyllum inophyllum, Moringa oleifera, palm and coconut biodiesel-diesel blending on their physico-chemical properties

By 2050, it is predicted that biofuels will provide 27% of total transport fuel and avoid around 2.1Gt CO2 emissions per year when produced sustainably. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be produced by trans-esterification in any climate using already developed agricultural practices. This paper aims to study various physical and chemical properties of biodiesel synthesized from edible and non-edible feedstocks. These feedstocks include Croton megalocarpus, Calophyllum inophyllum, Moringa (Moringa oleifera), palm (Elaeis guineensis) and coconut (Cocos nucifera). The physical and chemical properties of biodiesel-diesel blends were also presented. Furthermore, the regression analysis method was used to predict the properties of biodiesel blends. It has been found that blending of diesel with biodiesel has resulted in much improvement in kinematic viscosity, density, calorific value and oxidation stability. However, flash point and viscosity index decrease as the percentage of diesel increases. Moreover, the mathematical relationships developed in this study show a high regression values (R2) between properties and biodiesel-diesel blends. As a conclusion, it is believed that the outcome of this study gives the readers valuable results that help to predict the properties of biodiesel and its blends with diesel which are substantial parameters in the design of fuel system for biodiesel engine. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.Associated Grant:The authors would like to acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia and The Faculty of Engineering of University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the financial support under UM.C/HIR/MOHE/ENG/06 (D000006-16001

Evaluation of biodiesel blending, engine performance and emissions characteristics of Jatropha curcas methyl ester: Malaysian perspective

Currently, the main crop for biodiesel in Malaysia is palm oil. Recently, Jatropha curcas has drawn the attention of the Malaysian Government. This paper aims to study the feasibility of Jatropha as a potential biodiesel feedstock for Malaysia. Physico-chemical properties of Jatropha biodiesel and its blends with diesel followed by engine performance and emissions characteristics of B10, B20 and B0 were studied. The results show that viscosities of B10 and B20 are closer to diesel. Moreover, only the oxidation stability of B10 and B20 meet the European specifications (EN 590) of 20h. Therefore, only B10 and B20 have been used to evaluate engine performance and emission. Compared to B0, the average reduction in brake power (BP) is 4.67% for B10 and 8.86% for B20. It was observed that brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) increases as the percentage of biodiesel increase. Compared to B0, a reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) emission of 3.84% and 10.25% and carbon monoxide (CO) emission of 16% and 25% was reported using B10 and B20. However, the blends give higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission of 3% and 6% using B10 and B20. As a conclusion, B10 and B20 can be used in a diesel engine without any modifications. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd

Acid-based lignocellulosic biomass biorefinery for bioenergy production: Advantages, application constraints, and perspectives.

The production of chemicals and fuels from renewable biomass with the primary aim of reducing carbon footprints has recently become one of the central points of interest. The use of lignocellulosic biomass for energy production is believed to meet the main criteria of maximizing the available global energy source and minimizing pollutant emissions. However, before usage in bioenergy production, lignocellulosic biomass needs to undergo several processes, among which biomass pretreatment plays an important role in the yield, productivity, and quality of the products. Acid-based pretreatment, one of the existing methods applied for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment, has several advantages, such as short operating time and high efficiency. A thorough analysis of the characteristics of acid-based biomass pretreatment is presented in this review. The environmental concerns and future challenges involved in using acid pretreatment methods are discussed in detail to achieve clean and sustainable bioenergy production. The application of acid to biomass pretreatment is considered an effective process for biorefineries that aim to optimize the production of desired products while minimizing the by-products

Comparative evaluation of performance and emission characteristics of Moringa oleifera and palm oil based biodiesel in a diesel engine

Biodiesels, which are made from various crops, as well as animal fat, are renewable, bio-degradable, and non-toxic and are eco-friendly compared with fossil fuels. Currently, there are more than 350 oil-bearing crops identified as potential sources for biodiesel production. In this study, the potential of biodiesel obtained from a non-edible oil source (Moringa oleifera) was explored and compared with that of palm biodiesel and diesel fuel. The physico-chemical properties of M. oleifera methyl ester were determined, and the properties of 5% and 10% (by volume) blends thereof (MB5 and MB10, respectively) were compared with those of palm-oil blends (PB5 and PB10) and diesel fuel (B0). The performance of these fuels was assessed in a multi-cylinder diesel engine at various engine speeds and under the full-load condition whereas emissions were assessed under the both full-load and half load condition. The properties of palm and M. oleifera biodiesels and their blends meet the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards. Engine performance test results indicated that the PB5 and the MB5 fuels produced slightly lower brake powers and higher brake specific fuel consumption values compared to diesel fuel over the entire range of speeds examined. Engine emission results indicated that the PB5, MB5, PB10 and MB10 fuels reduced the average emissions of carbon monoxide by 13.17%, 5.37%, 17.36%, and 10.60%, respectively, and reduced those of hydrocarbons by 14.47%, 3.94%, 18.42%, and 9.21%, respectively. However, the PB5, MB5, PB10, and MB10 fuels slightly increased nitric oxide emissions by 1.96%, 3.99%, 3.38%, and 8.46%, respectively, and increased carbon dioxide emissions by 5.60%, 2.25%, 11.73%, and 4.96%, respectively, compared to the emissions induced by B0. M. oleifera oil is a potential feedstock for biodiesel production, and the performance of MB5 and MB10 biodiesel is comparable to that of PB5 and PB10 biodiesel and diesel fuel. Because the MB5 and MB10 fuels produce lower exhaust emissions than diesel fuel, these fuels can replace diesel fuel in unmodified engines to reduce the global energy demand and exhaust emissions to the environment. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.Associated Grant:The authors would like to acknowledge the University of Malaya for providing financial support through the High Impact Research Grant UM.C/HIR/MOHE/ENG/07

Production, characterization, engine performance and emission characteristics of Croton megalocarpus and Ceiba pentandra complementary blends in a single-cylinder diesel engine

Compounding energy demand and environmental issues necessitate suitable alternative or partial replacement of fossil fuels. Among the possible sources, biodiesel from non-edible vegetable oil sources is more economically feasible and possesses characteristics close to those of petroleum diesel. Two potential non-edible biodiesel feedstocks "Croton megalocarpus" and "Ceiba pentandra" were used for biodiesel production through esterification and transesterification process on a laboratory scale. Biodiesel characterization, engine performance and emission characteristics were investigated in an unmodified direct injection, naturally aspirated, single-cylinder diesel engine. 20% (v/v) of each of C. megalocarpus (CM), C. pentandra (CP) and their combined blends (CMB20, CPB20, CMB15CPB05, CMB10CPB10, and CMB05CPB15) were tested under varying engine speeds ranging from 1000 rpm to 2400 rpm at full load conditions. CMB20 and CPB20 reduced the brake power (BP) by 2.63% and 3.70%, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) by 5.97% and 3.72%, carbon monoxide (CO) emission by 1.09% and 2.39%, hydrocarbon (HC) emission by 1.48% and 4.62% and smoke emission by 12.35% and 17.13%, respectively compared to petroleum diesel. On the other hand, CMB20 and CPB20 increased the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) by 9.74% and 7.63%, NOX emission by 13.19% and 15.45%, respectively. A mixture of 10% of both biodiesels with diesels (CMB10CPB10) provides better performance and emission characteristics. CMB10CPB10 reduced BP, BTE, CO, HC and smoke by 0.53%, 0.50%, 5.21%, 8.38% and 20.71%, respectively and increased BSFC and NOX by 3.90% and 18.66%, respectively compared to conventional diesel. A combined blend of CM and CP could be a sustainable substitute for fossil diesel in the context of performance and emission

Effect of biodiesel from various feedstocks on combustion characteristics engine durability and materials compatibility: A review

The global energy consumption is expected to grow in a faster rate than the population growth. By 2030, an increase of 53% of global energy consumption and 39% of greenhouse gases emissions from fossil fuels is anticipated. Therefore, it becomes a global agenda to develop clean alternative fuels which are domestically available, environmentally acceptable and technically feasible. As an alternative fuel, biodiesel seems as one of the best choices among other sources due to its environment friendly behavior and similar functional properties with diesel. The main objective of this paper is to discuss the impact biodiesel from different edible, non-edible and waste cooking oils feedstocks on combustion characteristics, engine durability and materials compatibility with biodiesel. Moreover, this paper reviews some other important related aspects to biodiesel such as biodiesel development, biodiesel feedstocks, biodiesel standards and advantages and challenges of biodiesel. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.Associated Grant:The authors would like to acknowledge the University of Malaya for financial support through University Malaya Research grant: RP016-2012E