Conversion of microalgal lipids to biodiesel using chromium-aluminum mixed oxide as a heterogeneous solid acid catalyst. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guldhe, Abhishek; Moura, Carla V.R.; Singh, Poonam; Rawat, Ismail; Moura, Edmilson M.; Sharma, Yogesh; Bux, Faizal
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 105(2017)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Heterogeneous catalyst -- Microalgae -- Chromium -- Biodiesel -- Transesterification; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.12.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Heterogeneous solid acid catalyzed conversion of microalgal lipids to biodiesel is a scarcely studied area. In this study chromium-aluminum mixed oxide catalyst was investigated for catalytic conversion of microalgal lipids to biodiesel. Lipids from Scenedesmus obliquus grown in an open raceway pond (3000L) was used as feedstock. Reaction variables such as temperature, methanol to oil molar ratio and catalyst amount were optimized using response surface methodology. FAME conversion of 98.28% was achieved using chromium-aluminum catalyst at 80 °C, with methanol to oil molar ratio of 20:1 and catalyst amount of 15%. Catalytic efficiency of this heterogeneous solid acid catalyst was compared to a homogeneous acid catalyst (sulfuric acid). Chromium-aluminum mixed oxide catalyst can be effectively used for 4 batches of conversion reactions without significant loss in its activity. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Chromium-aluminum mixed oxide catalyst used for conversion of S. obliquus lipids. CRAL showed 98.28% FAME conversion in 4 h reaction. CRAL can be reused upto 4 batches without much loss in FAME conversion. CRAL require low methanol to oil ratio of 20:1. Higher conversion observed with heterogeneous catalyst than homogeneous catalyst.