Experimental assessment of electrolysis method in production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using zeolite/chitosan catalyst with a focus on waste biorefinery

doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2017.05.051

Energy Conversion and Management

Volume 147, 1 September 2017, Pages 145-154

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2017.05.051 Get rights and content

Highlights

•
Successful production of biodiesel using electrolysis method.
•
The modified zeolite/chitosan were used as a natural and cost-effective catalyst.
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Waste cooking oil is potential feedstock for biodiesel.

Abstract

Used waste cooking oil (WCO) or frying oils are being considered as rich sources of economical feedstock for biodiesel production. To carry out the process of trans-esterification of WCO to methyl esters (biodiesel), zeolite/chitosan/KOH composite was used as solid heterogeneous catalysts. The composite was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. It was found that the treatment of the natural zeolite (clinoptilolite zeolite) with KOH significantly decreased its silica content by desilication and increased its K⁺ content by formation of hydroxylpotaslite. Electrolysis method (EM) is used as an applicable technology for recovery of energy and resources during waste treatment. Theoretically, EM can convert any biodegradable waste into H₂, O₂, biofuels, as well as other by-products such as glycerol. However, the system efficacy can vary significantly under different circumstances. The conversion of biodiesel from WCO was obtained for 1 wt.% catalyst concentration and alcohol/oil ratio of 1:7 at 40 V in the presence of water as 2 wt.% of the whole solution in 3 h, produced 93% yield. The optimum conversion process was achieved as a result of using co-solvent as acetone. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Viscosity characterization were used the assessing techniques for detection of WCO and biodiesel.

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Biodiesel, enjoying superior properties like biodegradability, renewability [1], lower toxicity and reduced harmful tailpipe combustion emissions [2], [3], can safely be considered as one of the best alternatives to fossil diesel [4], [5], [6]. Among ecological advantages of biodiesel over fossil diesel is lack of SO_x in the exhaust emissions [7], [8]. Moreover, the chemical and physical properties of biodiesel are better in comparison with the fossil-derived diesels such as higher lubricating quality and lower sulfur content [9]. Nearly 80% of the costs in producing biodiesels is allocated to raw materials [10]. The high costs of production are the most important barrier in biodiesel commercialization [11], [12]. Non-edible feedstocks, waste and recycle oils as well as animal fats are considered as the second-generation biodiesel feedstocks [13]. In addition to decreasing the costs, cheap resources such as WCO can also provide the conditions for the wastes to be reused and reprocessed [14], [15].

Several biodiesel production methods have been developed [16], [17]. Electrolysis method can be used potentially to overcome global problems like warming and energy crisis through utilizing electrochemical reaction to convert waste organic matter into biofuel [18], [19]. In electrolysis, a direct electric current passes between electrodes through an ionic substance that is either molten or dissolved in a suitable reaction product [20]. The prepared biodiesel is reacted with methanol in presence of base catalyst to result in alkyl esters of fatty acids and glycerol [21], [22]. A catalyst is employed to increase the presence of organic compounds, which modify and improve bio-oil as precursor for fuel [23]. Heterogeneous catalysts have the advantages of being environmentally friendly, safer, cheaper and easily recovered, reproduced and reused [24]. Heterogeneous catalysts are superior [25]. However the heterogeneous base catalysts have been proved to be an effective way for biodiesel production, they have the limitation of being sensitive to high free fatty acid (FFA) or low grade feedstocks [26]. Particularly in solid state, they are not mixed with the alcohols in the trans-esterification process causing chitosan and zeolite to be the promising materials in the homogeneous catalyst [27], [28].

The main purpose of the present experimental study is to scrutinize electrolysis for waste biorefineries to convert bio waste organic into biodiesel conversion. To this end, this study focuses on natural catalyzed in anode oxidation and cathodic H₂ production. This work employed an electrolysis process for the production of biodiesel at room temperature in the presence of zeolite/chitosan/KOH. In addition, the efficiency of the catalyst is studied using SEM-EDX, FT-IR and XRD techniques. In this study, saponification and acid values were used as the criteria to determine the molecular weight of the oil and titration method was employed to determine the saponification and acid values of the oil. To obtain the maximum yield, variables including the effects of electrolysis voltage, methanol/oil molar ratios, addition of co-solvents, and catalyst concentration on the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield were investigated. The product of the FAME was washed with deionized water in order to remove any remaining inorganic material. In this study, the reaction was made in the environment temperature in order to prevent alcohol and co-solvent evaporation. FT-IR and viscosity techniques were used to characterize the post-treatment product.

Section snippets

Materials and apparatuses

Average molecular weight (M_v) chitosan with the degree of deacetylation (DD) of 75–85% used in the present study was purchased from laboratory chemicals at Mina Tajhiz Aria Company (Iran). Sodium sulfate (99%), potassium hydroxide (99%), acetone and methanol (99%) were the products of Merck Company (Germany). Natural zeolite (Clinoptilolite zeolite) with particle size <1800 µm was supplied by Negin Poder Semnan Company (Iran). The waste cooking oil used in this work was collected from a

The increase of electrolysis by means of base catalyst

As shown in Eqs. (2), (3), (4), the reaction mixture containing zeolite/chitosan/KOH and H₂O was added to the electrolysis cell, hydroxide or oxygen were faced with some changes on the anode, while hydroxyl and hydrogen were formed on the cathode. Methoxide ions were formed after the reaction of methanol with hydroxyl ion (OH⁻). Since methanolysis is catalyzed by methoxide ions as a true catalyst, the equilibrium between the hydroxide and methoxide species (CH₃O⁻) is important. Also, Eqs. (5),

Conclusion

Electrolysis has been used as an applicable method for the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil. In comparison with any of its components, chitosan/zeolite-based, composite materials have also been reported to show increased catalytic properties. The suitable concentration of KOH and amount of zeolite and chitosan are the necessary conditions to improve the FAME yield of the trans-esterification reaction. A variety of manipulating factors such as methanol molar ratio, catalyst

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to deeply appreciate the supports of the Energy Technologies Laboratory, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran.

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Experimental assessment of electrolysis method in production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using zeolite/chitosan catalyst with a focus on waste biorefinery

Highlights

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Materials and apparatuses

The increase of electrolysis by means of base catalyst

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

Renew Sustain Energy Rev

Renewable Energy

Energy Convers Manage

Bioresour Technol

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Renew Sustain Energy Rev

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