Bhaskar Singh

Kinetics studies of synthesis of biodiesel from waste frying oil using a heterogeneous catalyst derived from snail shell

Waste frying oil was used to produce biodiesel using calcined snail shell as a heterogeneous base catalyst. Trans esterification reactions were carried out and the yield and conversion of the product were optimized by varying the methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst amount, reaction temperature, and time. A biodiesel conversion of 99.58% was obtained with a yield of 87.28%. The reaction followed first order kinetics. The activation energy (E(A)) was 79kJ/mol and the frequency factor (A) was 2.98×10(10)min(-1). The fuel properties of the biodiesel were measured according to ASTM D 6751 and found to be within the specifications. Snail shell is a novel source for the production of heterogeneous base catalyst that can be successfully utilized for synthesis of biodiesel of high purity.

High Yield and Conversion of Biodiesel from a Nonedible Feedstock (Pongamia pinnata)

An efficient approach has been adopted for the synthesis of biodiesel developed from karanja, a nonedible oil feedstock. A two-step reaction was followed for synthesis of biodiesel. Karanja oil possessing a high free fatty acid content was esterified with sulfuric acid, and the product obtained was further converted to fatty acid alkyl esters (biodiesel) by transesterification reactions. A moderate molar ratio of 6:1 (methanol/oil) was efficient for acid esterification with 1.5% v/v H2SO4 and 1 h of reaction time at 60+/-0.5 degrees C, which resulted in reduction of FFA from 19.88 to 1.86 mg of KOH/g. During alkaline transesterification, 8:1 molar ratio (methanol/oil), 0.8 wt % sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 1.0 wt % sodium methoxide (CH3ONa), or 1.0 wt % potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst at 60+/-0.5 degrees C gave optimized yield (90-95%) and high conversion (96-100%). Optimum times for alkaline transesterification were 45 min for CH3ONa and 1 h for NaOH and KOH. Conversion of karanja oil feedstock to its respective fatty acid methyl esters was identified on a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer and determined by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography. The fuel properties, such as cetane number of the methyl ester synthesized, were studied and found to be within the limits and specification of ASTM D 6751 and EN 14112 except for oxidation stability.

Synthesis of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas oil using waste eggshell and study of its fuel properties

High purity calcium oxide (CaO) was prepared from eggshell and used as a catalyst for the production of biodiesel. Non-edible oil, Jatropha curcas was used as a feedstock for the synthesis of biodiesel. High purity calcium oxide (CaO) was obtained when the eggshell was subjected to calcination at 900 °C for ∼2.5 h. Confirmation of the catalyst was carried out by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), and differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis (DTA-TGA). The synthesized biodiesel was characterized using 1H NMR. Pure biodiesel was obtained in high yield by taking into account various parameters such as a proper methanol to oil molar ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time. Reusability of the catalyst was observed and the catalyst worked efficiently up to six times without significant loss of activity. Physical and chemical properties of biodiesel such as density, kinematic viscosity, cloud point, etc. were studied.

An economically viable synthesis of biodiesel from a crude Millettia pinnata oil of Jharkhand, India as feedstock and crab shell derived catalyst.

Biodiesel has emerged as a prominent source to replace petroleum diesel. The cost incurred in the production of biodiesel is higher than that for refining of crude oil to obtain mineral diesel. The heterogeneous catalyst was prepared from crab shells by calcining the crushed mass at 800°C. The solid waste catalyst was characterized with XRD, XPS, BET, SEM-EDS, and FT-IR. Millettia pinnata (karanja) oil extracted from its seeds was used as a feedstock for the synthesis of biodiesel. Biodiesel was synthesized through esterification followed by transesterification in a two-step process. Characterization of biodiesel was done using proton NMR spectroscopy. Reaction parameters such as reaction time, reaction temperature, concentration of catalyst and stirrer speed were optimized. Reusability of catalyst was checked and found that there was no loss of catalytic activity up to five times.

Comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis for synthesis of biodiesel from Madhuca indica oil

Biodiesel was developed by transesterification of Madhuca indica oil by homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. KOH and CaO were taken as homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst respectively. It was found that the homogeneous catalyst (KOH) took 1.0 h of reaction time, 6:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 0.75 wt% of catalyst amount, 55±0.5oC reaction temperature for completion of the reaction. The heterogeneous catalyst (CaO) was found to give optimum yield in 2.5 h of reaction time at 8:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 2.5 wt% of catalyst amount, at 65±0.5oC. A high yield (95-97%) and conversion (>96.5%) was obtained from both the catalysts. CaO was found to leach to some extent in the reactants and a biodiesel conversion of 27-28% was observed as a result of leaching.

Fast Synthesis of High Quality Biodiesel from 'Waste Fish Oil' by Single Step Transesterification

A large volume of fish wastes is produced on a daily basis in the Indian sub-continent. This abundant waste source could serve as an economic feedstock for bioenergy generation. In the present study, oil extracted from discarded fish parts was used for high quality biodiesel production. More specifically, a single step transesterification of ‘waste fishoil’ with methanol using sodium methoxide (CH3ONa) as homogeneous catalyst under moderate operational conditions resulted in highly pure biodiesel of > 98% of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content. Characterization was performed by Fourier Transform-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (FT-NMR).

Sustainable Production of Biofuels from Microalgae Using a Biorefinary Approach

Biorefinery has emerged as a new concept to derive more than one utility product from biomass. The products from biorefinery include one or more biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane, and biohydrogen) along with other energy sources (syngas and bio-oil), pharmaceutical products, and commercially important chemicals. Biorefineries, thus could simultaneously produce biofuels, bio-based chemicals, heat, and power. The biomass production and its utilization as biofuel has a higher water footprint (WF) than fossil derived fuel. The biorefinery approach has the potential to bring down the WF. Similarly, biorefinery approach has the potential to bring down the carbon footprint. The value added product derived from biorefinery basket includes pigments, nutraceuticals, and bioactive compounds. The use of industrial refusals for biomass production includes wastewater as nutrient medium and utilization of flue gases (CO2) as the carbon source for culture of microalgae. These processes have the potential to reduce fresh WF and carbon footprint.

Studies on application of fish waste for synthesis of high quality biodiesel

A low cost raw material obtained from the discarded parts of fish (Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus cirrhosa, Cirrhinus reba) was utilized as feedstock oil and catalyst for the synthesis of biodiesel. Esterification followed by transesterification was carried out for the synthesis of biodiesel from waste fish oil. The discarded parts of fish after extraction of oil that included fins, tails and bones were used to derive a low cost heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of biodiesel. The catalyst characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis showed the calcination temperature required and the phase of the catalyst respectively. The HAP (hydroxyapatite) present in the waste parts of fish was converted into β-tri-calcium phosphate when calcined at 900 °C for 2 h. The catalyst, β-tri-calcium phosphate was studied for its morphology and porous structure by scanning electron microscopy. A moderate experimental condition (1 : 6.5 molar ratio of oil : methanol, 1.5 wt% of heterogeneous catalyst with respect to oil) was taken for synthesis of biodiesel from waste fish oil. Biodiesel characterized by proton NMR showed a high conversion of waste fish oil to biodiesel (i.e. >96%). The yield of biodiesel determined by gravimetric method was >95%. The heterogeneous catalyst, β-tri-calcium phosphate was reused up to five times without significant loss in its activity.

Life Cycle Assessment of Algal Biofuels

First- and second-generation biofuels are widely recognized as unsustainable in the long run due to associated challenges and are incapable to completely displace petroleum-based transportation fuels. Biofuel from algae (third generation of biofuels) is an emerging area of research and offers several potential benefits over first and second generation of biofuels. To achieve the goals of sustainable development needed today requires moving beyond the general compliance to specified norms for environmental protection and a cradle-to-grave-approach-based analysis of products and processes. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an analytical tool to assess the environmental, social, and economic performance of alternative products and processes throughout its life cycle. Since fossil fuels have created environmental concerns, any alterative should perform better on environmental concerns than fossil fuels before it is promoted. Therefore, LCA of algal biofuels is imperative in order to assess its suitability over fossil fuels.

Synthesis and magnetic properties of one-dimensional metal oxalate networks as molecular-based magnets

The homo- and heteropolymetallic assemblies of MM′(OX)2(H2O)4, where MM′ represents MnMn, CoMn, NiMn, CuMn, CoCo, NiCo, CuCo, NiNi, CuNi, and CuCu; and the respective complexes, numbered 1–10, have been prepared by reacting metal(II) salts-i.e. of Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu- and potassium oxalate monohydrate in hot water (90–100°C). The magnetic susceptibility data of the complexes 8 and 9 in the 300 K-20 K temperature range obeys the Curie-Weiss law and exhibits Weiss constants -50 K and -100 K, respectively. On lowering the temperature, the effective magnetic moment decreases gradually and is indicative of antiferromagnetic phase transition. The complexes have also been characterized by ES mass spectrometry, infrared (IR), electronic, and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra.