Biodiesel production from low quality crude jatropha oil using heterogeneous catalyst

In this study, transesterification of low quality crude jatropha oil (acid value > 4mgKOH/g & water content > 1000 ppm) to biodiesel using modified natural zeolite as a solid catalyst was carried out. The effects of various factors consist of the reaction time, molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction temperature, mass ratio of catalyst to oil and catalyst reusability were investigated. The experimental treatments of a 20:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil, addition of 5wt% catalyst, 70 °C reaction temperature using low quality crude jatropha oil resulted in optimum yield in which the biodiesel content exceeded 96.5% at 6 h. Along with, the recycling experiment results showed modified natural zeolite catalyst had a long catalyst lifetime which maintained sustainable activity (at least 96.5wt% of ester content according to EN14214 limitations) even after being reused for 3 cycles on low quality raw feedstock. The present finding is potential to simplify the biodiesel production and refining process in rural area. This study simplified method of biodiesel production from low quality raw feedstocks with economic and high efficiency catalyst

Comparative studies of cell growth of freshwater microalga Chlorella sp. in photoautotrophic, heterotrophic and mixotrophic cultures

Lately, research on biodiesel production as a renewable and sustainable energy has become increasingly apparent due to the fact that fossil fuel is decreasing and the concern of global warming issues. The third generation of biofuel, which is microalgaebased biodiesel had gained interest over the last decade. The ability of microalgae to grow in various conditions is one of its advantages as the potential and promising feedstock for biodiesel. Microalgae can be cultivated in three modes such as photoautotrophic, heterotrophic and mixotrophic culture mode. Unlike photoautotrophic mode where light is required, the heterotrophic mode mainly utilized carbon compounds to grow. On the other hand, the mixotrophic mode is the condition where light and carbon compounds are supplied for microalgae culturing. This paper investigates the cell growth of Chlorella sp. cultivated in photoautotrophic, heterotrophic and mixotrophic culture mode. It was found that Chlorella sp. was capable of producing the highest cell concentration of 6.67 ± 0.56 x 106 cell mL-1 in the photoautotrophic mode for 23 days of cultivation period. This was 1.3 times and 3.2 times greater than the cell concentration in mixotrophic (5.02 ± 0.49 x 106 cell mL-1) and heterotrophic (2.03 ± 0.29 x 106 cell mL-1) culture, respectively. On the contrary, the highest specific growth rate obtained in the study was from heterotrophic mode (0.32 ± 0.04 day-1) followed by photoautotrophic and mixotrophic mode with 0.26 ± 0.05 day-1 and 0.20 ± 0.04 day-1, respectively. Chlorella sp. cell grew well under the photoautotrophic and mixotrophic mode. However, the insufficient of glucose level had contributed to lower cells productivity in the heterotrophic culture. Therefore, the mixotrophic mode could also be an alternative pathway in microalgae cultivation for biodiesel production if the glucose supplied was adequate and at the suitable level

Study of biodiesel & biodiesel blends deterioration mechanism

Biodiesel is receiving increasing attention as an alternative, non-toxic, biodegradable, and renewable diesel fuel. Due to its chemical structure, it is more susceptible to deteriorate during storage upon exposure to air and under high temperature (heat) condition. The aim of this paper was to clarify the deterioration mechanism of biodiesel and biodiesel blends focusing on Soy Methyl Ester (SME). This study examined the deterioration of SME biodiesel and biodiesel blends under condition 140°C heating and 285.7/hour aeration rate for 24 hours. The results showed 2 layers of fuel as upper layer and sludge as bottom layer were formed after deterioration. Fuel analysis results showed a drastic increase in the acid value, viscosity, oxidation product compound when the fuel deteriorated after 24 hours. Deterioration compound were examined by GC-MS and FD-MS analysis which demonstrated that aldehyde, ketones, short chain carboxylic acids as dominant compounds. The mechanism of biodiesel deterioration (e.g. primary oxidation, secondary oxidation and sludge formation) has been discussed. This finding provided useful information to both biodiesel producers and users for improving biodiesel storage system to maintaining biodiesel quality are related to corresponding deterioration mechanisms

Cultivation of tropical red seaweeds in the BIMP-EAGA region

The Brunei–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is located within the Coral Triangle, known to have the world’s richest biodiversity in marine flora and fauna. This region lies within the 10° N and 10° S of the Equator where natural populations of both Kappaphycus and Eucheuma grow luxuriantly and abundantly. It is in this same region where commercial cultivation of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma began in the Philippines around the mid-1960s. Commercial farming of Kappaphycus (which was originally called Eucheuma) was successful in the Philippines from the early 1970s, after which the technology was transferred to Indonesia and Malaysia in the late 1970s. No seaweed cultivation has been reported in Brunei. At present, carrageenophytes are cultivated in sub-tropical to tropical countries circumferentially around the globe within the 10° N and S of the Equator. However, their combined production is still low as compared to Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Notably, few improvements in farming techniques have been made since its first introduction. Some of the major improvements were the introduction of deep-water farming using hanging long lines, multiple rafts, and spider webs in the Philippines; the use of short and long ‘loops’, instead of plastic ‘tie-tie’ in Indonesia; and mechanization in harvesting and use of solar “greenhouse” drying in Malaysia. Commercial cultivation of tropical red seaweeds in the BIMP-EAGA region is dominated by Kappaphycus and Eucheuma (carrageenophytes) and Gracilaria (agarophytes) and the area became the major region for the production of carageenophytes and agarophytes globally. In particular, Indonesia is a major center for the production of Gracilaria. There is an increasing demand for other agarophytes / carrageenophytes in the international market such as Gelidium spp., Pterocladia spp., Porphyroglossum sp., and Ptilophora sp. for paper and ethanol production in Indonesia and Malaysia, and Halymenia for phycoerythrin pigments in the Philippines currently pursued in an experimental stage. A summary of the present status, problems, sustainability, and challenges for the cultivation of tropical red seaweeds in the BIMP-EAGA region are discussed in this paper

Mathematical modelling for the drying method and smoothing drying rate using Cubic Spline for seaweed Kappaphycus Striatum variety durian in a solar dryer

The solar drying experiment of seaweed using Green V-Roof Hybrid Solar Drier (GVRHSD) was conducted in Semporna, Sabah under the metrological condition in Malaysia. Drying of sample seaweed in GVRHSD reduced the moisture content from about 93.4% to 8.2% in 4 days at average solar radiation of about 600W/m2 and mass flow rate about 0.5 kg/s. Generally the plots of drying rate need more smoothing compared moisture content data. Special cares is needed at low drying rates and moisture contents. It is shown the cubic spline (CS) have been found to be effective for moisture-time curves. The idea of this method consists of an approximation of data by a CS regression having first and second derivatives. The analytical differentiation of the spline regression permits the determination of instantaneous rate. The method of minimization of the functional of average risk was used successfully to solve the problem. This method permits to obtain the instantaneous rate to be obtained directly from the experimental data. The drying kinetics was fitted with six published exponential thin layer drying models. The models were fitted using the coefficient of determination (R2), and root mean square error (RMSE). The modeling of models using raw data tested with the possible of exponential drying method. The result showed that the model from Two Term was found to be the best models describe the drying behavior. Besides that, the drying rate smoothed using CS shows to be effective method for moisture-time curves good estimators as well as for the missing moisture content data of seaweed Kappaphycus Striatum Variety Durian in Solar Dryer under the condition tested

Development of fast check test kit for biodiesel quality monitoring

Determination of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content in petroleum diesel blends and monitoring of unreacted glycerides in biodiesel after transesterification are important aspect of blending process and production as well as quality control of distribution operations. In this study, fast check analysis method with special measuring device and chemical solvent mixture were developed to provide on-site analysis check for biodiesel quality monitoring. Biodiesel Test Kit have shown comparable result with ASTM D7371 with correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.99) for biodiesel-diesel blends B5, B10 and B20. Result has indicated biodiesel sample from various feedstock such as Palm, Jatropha and Soybean are not affected the accuracy of biodiesel test kit. The use of Triglycerides Test Kit in determination of triglyceride content in biodiesel from various feedstock have shown good correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.99) for triglycerides 3, 4 and 5%(v/v). Again, biodiesel derived from Palm, Jatropha and Soybean do not affect the accuracy of triglycerides test kit. The developed methods are providing fast, simple and affordable on-site fast check analysis in measuring FAME content in diesel and triglycerides content i

Seaweed modeling for drying and the efficiency as heavy metal removal in Kappaphycus Striatum variety Sacol using Solar Dryer

The solar drying experiment of seaweed using Green V-Roof Hybrid Solar Drier (GVRHSD) was conducted in Semporna, Sabah under the metrological condition in Malaysia. Drying of sample seaweed in GVRHSD reduced the moisture content from about 92.68% to 32.06% in 4 days at average solar radiation of about 600W/m 2 and mass flow rate about 0.5 kg/s. The drying kinetics was fitted with six published exponential model thin layer drying models. The models were fitted using the coefficient of determination (R 2), and root mean square error (RMSE). The result showed modified page was the best model for describe the drying behavior. In addition, the dried seaweed was used to show biosorptions of cadminium, lead, zinc and copper. Batch mode experiments were performed to determine experimental parameters affecting sorption process such as pH, initial metal ion concentration, shaking rate and biomass dosage. The Pb(II) showed Int. J. Environ. Bioener. 2013, 8(1): 42 highest sorption on pH 4, shaking rate on 250 rpm with 24.18% removal rate; at initial concentration of 100 ppm and adsorbent dosage at 4g/l the removal percentage is 28.30%. Overall, this report indicates that Kappaphycus Striatum Variety Sacol is an effective and economical sorbent for removal of heavy metals from wastewaters

Enhancing Capacity Building in Seaweed Cultivation System among the Poor Fishermen: A Case Study in Sabah, East Malaysia

Community development issues in the context of sustainable development has been given serious attention from all parties namely government and private sectors. In this case study, a member of the community who wants to succeed in their life through development programmes should have positive attitude and take steps to develop themselves, while being supported by the government. This paper discusses the establishment of capacity building programmes among a poor rural community. The main objective of these programmes is to enhance the socio-economic status of the community through seaweed cultivation. Based on this, capacity building programmes were conducted for enhancing the level of community participation and high skills for the long term in the process of modern sustainable seaweed cultivation. The study was conducted between 2011 and 2013. Interviews were carried out with local fishermen and data were analysed using qualitative analyses techniques. The findings revealed that, the introduction of seaweed cultivation using the Estate Mini System and Cluster System under the initiative by the Department of Fisheries Sabah exposed the community to new technologies such as using varieties of seeds, seeds and nursery management, fertilizing and tying of seeds, the activity of solar drying and using the casino table technique in the process of seaweed cultivation. The study is significant for the fishermen experiencing the process of lifelong learning and who can enhance their knowledge and survival skills in their respective fields of employment. Moreover, capacity building programmes could change the mind-set of the community to be more open and receive the new approaches in the production of seaweed cultivation

Comparative studies on the alcohol types presence in Gracilaria sp. and rice fermentation using Sasad

Alternative fuel sources such as biofuels are needed in order to overcome environmental problem caused by fossil fuel consumption. Currently, most biofuel are produced from land based crops and there is a possibility that marine biomass such as macroalgae can be an alternative source for biofuel production. The carbohydrate in macroalgae can be broken down into simple sugar through thermo-chemical hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis. Dilute-acid hydrolysis was believed to be the most available and affordable method. However, the process may release inhibitors which would affect alcohol yield from fermentation. Thus, this work was aimed at investigating if it is possible to avoid this critical pre-treatment step in macroalgae fermentation process by using Sasad, a local Sabahan fermentation agent and to compare the yield with rice wine fermentation. This work hoped to determine and compare the alcohol content from Gracilaria sp. and rice fermentation with Sasad. Rice fermentation was found containing ethanol and 2 - methyl - 1 - propanol. Fermentation of Gracilaria sp. had shown the positive presence of 3 - methyl - 1 - butanol. It was found that Sasad can be used as a fermentation agent for bioalcohol production from Gracilaria sp. without the need for a pretreatment step. However further investigations are needed to determine if pre-treatment would increase the yield of alcohol

Sauna technique, drying kinetic modelling and effectiveness compared with direct drying in drying process of Kappaphycus Striatum in Selakan Island Malaysia.

A sauna drying technique—the solar drier was designed and imposed, constructed and tested for drying of seaweed. The seaweed moisture content was decreased around 50% in 2-day sau-na. Kinetic curves of drying of seaweed were known to be used in this system. The non-linear re-gression procedure was used to fit three different drying models. The models were compared with experimental data of red seaweed being dried on the daily average of air temperature about 40°C. The fit quality of the models was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2), Mean Bias Error (MBE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The highest values of R2 (0.99027), the lowest MBE (0.00044) and RMSE (0.03039) indicated that the Page model was the best mathematical model to describe the drying behavior of sauna dried seaweed. The percentage of the saved time using this technique was calculated at 57.9% on the average solar radiation of about 500 W/m2 and air flow rate of 0.056 kg/s