Journal of Materials Science Research and Reviews

Utilization of Bifunctional Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Palm Kernel Oil

C. C. Okoye *

Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

C. F. Okey-Onyesolu *

Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

O. E. Achugbu

Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

E. N. Anekwe

Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

C. Nebolisa

Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

---

Abstract

Palm empty fruit bunch (PEFB) and Titanium oxide (TiO₂) formulation was considered as a heterogeneous bifunctional catalyst for simultaneous esterification-transeterification of palm kernel oil (PKO) for biodiesel production. The bifunctional catalyst, Titanium oxide-Palm empty fruit bunch catalyst (TPEFBC), was synthesized from acid impregnated PEFB carbon and TiO₂, calcined at 600˚C for 3 hours. Characterization result of PKO revealed high FFA (4.50%). Interactive effect analyses depict that the investigated process variables: reaction time, temperature, catalyst loading and methanol-oil-ratio (MOR) had significant effect on biodiesel yield. Reaction kinetics study was carried out at temperaures 45,60 and 75˚C. The kinetic data at 60˚C recorded coefficient of determination value (0.975) closest to unity thus best fitted the kinetic model with reaction order, 1.074. Gas chromatography result show that a biodiesel yield of 78.51% was achieved at 12:1 methanol to oil ratio, 1% catalyst loading, 333K reaction temperature and 180 minutes contact time. Results obtained suggest the capability of TPEFBC as a bifunctional catalyst for biodiesel production.

Keywords: Biodiesel, transesterification, kinetics, bifunctional catalyst, palm kernel oil

---

---

---

References

Ramli A, Farooq M, Naeem A, Khan S, Hummayun M, Iqbal A, Ahmed S, Shah LA. Bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production using low cost feedstocks: A future perspective. Frontiers in Bioenergy and Biofuels. Intech. 2017:285-308

Singh SP, Singh D. Biodiesel production through the use of different sources and characterization of oils and their esters as the substitute of diesel: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2010;14:200–216.

Al-Saadi AYN. Biodiesel production using a SrO-ZnO/Al2O3 bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst. PhD Thesis, James Cook University; 2020. Available:https://doi.org/10.25903/w7bw%2D7r13

Yusuf NNAN, Kamarudin SK, Yaakub Z. Overview on the current trends in biodiesel production. Energy Conversion and Management. 2011;52(7):2741-2751. DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2010.12.004

Munyentwali A, Li H, Yang Q. Review of advances in bifunctional solid acid/base catalysts for sustainable biodiesel production. Applied Catalysis A: General. 2022;633. Available:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2022.118525

De Araujo CDM, de Andrade CC, e Silva EdS, and Dupas FA. Biodiesel production from used cooking oil: A review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 2013;27:445–452.

Prameswari J, Widayat W, Buchori1 L, Hadiyanto H. Novel iron sand‑derived α‑Fe2O3/CaO2 bifunctional catalyst for waste cooking oil‑based biodiesel production. Environmental Science and Pollution Research; 2022.

Available:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21942-z

Pruszko R. Chapter 23 – biodiesel production. In: Dahiya A (ed) Bioenergy: Biomass to biofuels and waste to energy, 2nd edn. Academic Press, London; 2020.

Pan H, Zhang H, Yang S. Production of biodiesel via simultaneous esterification and transesterification. In: Fang Z, Smith R Jr., Li H (eds) Production of biofuels and chemicals with bifunctional catalysts. Biofuels and Biorefineries, 1st edn. Springer, Singapore. 2017;8.

Elias S, Rabiu AM, Okeleye BI, Okudoh V, Oyekola O. Bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production from waste vegetable oil. Appl. Sci. 2020;10(3153):1-13.

Bharti R, Singh B, Oraon R. Synthesis of Sn-Cao as a bifunctional catalyst and its application for biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. Biofuels; 2023. DOI: 10.1080/17597269.2022.2161128

Pulungan AN, Kembaren A, Nurfajriani N, Syuhada FA, Sihombing JL, Yusuf M, Rahayu R. Biodiesel production from rubber seed oil using natural zeolite supported metal oxide catalysts. Pol. J. Environ. Stud., 2021;30(6):5681-5689.

Okoye CC, Okey-Onyesolu CF, Nwokedi IC, Eije OC, Asimobi EI. Biodiesel synthesis from waste cooking oil using periwinkle shells as catalyst. Journal of Energy Research and Reviews. 2020;4(4):32–43.

AOAC. Official methods of analysis. 14th Edition, Association of official analytical chemistry Washington USA; 1984.

Thushari PGI, Babel S. Biodiesel production from waste palm oil using palm empty fruit bunch-derived novel carbon acid catalyst. Journal of Energy Resources Technology. 2018;140(3):1-10.

Fogler SH. Elements of chemical reaction engineering. New York: Prentice Hall; 1999.

Moradi GR, Mohadesi M, Ghanbari M, Moradi MJ, Hosseini Sh, Davoodbeygi Y. Kinetic comparison of two basic heterogeneous catalysts obtained from sustainable resources for transesterification of waste cooking oil. Biofuel. 2015;6:236-241.

Aliozo OS, Emembolu LN, Onukwuli OD. Optimization of melon oil methyl ester production using response surface methodology. Biofuels Eng. 2017;2:1–10.

Lee HV, Yunus R, Juan JC, Tau q-Yap YH. Process optimization design for Jatropha-based biodiesel production using Response Surface Methodology. Fuel Process Technology. 2011;92:2420-2428.

Gopinath A, Sairam K, Sukumar P, Ganesan V. Effect of FFA of Jatropha curcas L oil on performance and emissions of a DI diesel engine. SAE Technical Paper; 2012. Available:https://doi.org/10.4271/2012-01-1318

Ismail SA, Ali RF. Physico-chemical properties of biodiesel manufactured from waste frying oil using domestic adsorbents. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. 2015;16(3):1–9.

Lee AF, Bennett JA, Manayil JC, Wilson K. Heterogeneous catalysis for sustainable biodiesel production via esterification and transesterification. Chemical Society Reviews. 2014;43(22):7887-7916.

DOI: 10.1039/c4cs00189c