Synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters from used vegetable oil using activated anthill as catalyst

In this present study transesterification of used vegetable oil (UVO) using synthesized activated anthill as catalyst was investigated. The catalyst was prepared via calcination process, characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. From the BET analysis; calcination temperature has a positive impact on the textural properties. The XRD shows that the catalyst is crystalline in nature. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) was produced using thermally activated anthill as catalyst. The optimal FAME yield of 94.85 % was obtained at Methanol/Oil (M/O) 9:1, catalyst loading 1.5 wt%, reaction temperature of 65 ᵒ and reaction time of 2 h. The physico-chemical properties of UVO – FAME produced was found to be within the American Society for Testing and Methods (ASTM). Hence, the study reveals that used vegetable oil catalyzed by novel activated anthill could be an effective feedstock to produce sustainable energy. Keywords: Anthills, FAME, Central composite design, Heterogeneous, used vegetable oil

Biodiesel production from waste frying oil via heterogeneous transesterification: Optimization study

This study deals with development of a new composite heterogeneous catalyst, anthill-eggshellpromoted Ni-Co mixed oxides (NiCoAE). Thecatalyst was synthesized via co-precipitationand also characterizedto evaluate its properties.The as-synthesized NiCoAEcatalyst was thereafter tested for transesterification reaction.The effects of variables affecting the transesterification process,reaction temperature (50-70 oC), reaction time (2-4 h), catalyst loading (3-7 wt%) and methanol to oil ratio (6:1-12:1) were investigated using central composite design (CCD). The biodiesel yield of 89.23% was obtained at the following optimum reaction conditions; 70 oC of reaction temperature, 2 h of reaction time, 3 wt% of catalyst loading and methanol to waste frying oil ratio of 12:1.This indicates thatNiCoAEas heterogeneous catalyst has potential to converthigh FFA feedstockinto biodiesel via singlestep transterification proces

Treatment of spent engine oil (spent SAE W50) via solvent extraction- adsorption process for the production of transfer oil: Physico-chemical properties of the adsorbents

Regeneration of base oil from spent engine oil (spent SAE W50) for transfer oil production has been investigated using the solvent extraction-adsorption method. Solvent treated base oil regenerated from spent SAE W50 was treated with activated carbon (AC) from Penthaclatra macophylla pod (PMP) and activated clay (ACL) from Ukpor clay. The oil was characterized before and after treatment for heavy metals content, kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, specific gravity, and pour point. The carbon and clay were characterized using FTIR, BET, SEM-EDX, XRF, and XRD. Characterization results revealed the required properties of the adsorbents that make them capable of adhering impurities to their active sites. Results obtained showed that the optimum conditions for the regeneration of base oil from spent SAE W50 was a temperature of 110 °C, an adsorbent dosage of 5% w/v and a contact time 60 min, with 98% removal of impurities using the mixture of AC and ACL (AC-ACL). The transfer oil was obtained using a blend of the recovered base oil and virgin oil (150 N) at the ratio of 1:1.2. The blend gave the required properties for a transfer oil of similar quality to ISO VG 46

Treatment of spent engine oil (spent SAE W50) via solvent extraction- adsorption process for the production of transfer oil: Physico-chemical properties of the adsorbents

Regeneration of base oil from spent engine oil (spent SAE W50) for transfer oil production has been investigated using the solvent extraction-adsorption method. Solvent treated base oil regenerated from spent SAE W50 was treated with activated carbon (AC) from Penthaclatra macophylla pod (PMP) and activated clay (ACL) from Ukpor clay. The oil was characterized before and after treatment for heavy metals content, kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, specific gravity, and pour point. The carbon and clay were characterized using FTIR, BET, SEM-EDX, XRF, and XRD. Characterization results revealed the required properties of the adsorbents that make them capable of adhering impurities to their active sites. Results obtained showed that the optimum conditions for the regeneration of base oil from spent SAE W50 was a temperature of 110 °C, an adsorbent dosage of 5% w/v and a contact time 60 min, with 98% removal of impurities using the mixture of AC and ACL (AC-ACL). The transfer oil was obtained using a blend of the recovered base oil and virgin oil (150 N) at the ratio of 1:1.2. The blend gave the required properties for a transfer oil of similar quality to ISO VG 46