Comparison of biodiesel production using a novel porous Zn/Al/Co complex oxide prepared from different methods: Physicochemical properties, reaction kinetic and thermodynamic studies. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Chihe; Hu, Yun; Sun, Fubao; Sun, Yahui; Song, Guojie; Chang, Haixing; Lunprom, Siriporn
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 181(2022)
• Page Start: 1419
• Page End: 1430
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Biodiesel -- Transesterification -- Heterogeneous catalysis -- Zinc aluminate -- Template method; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.09.122
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: The use of heterogeneous catalysts in the transesterification reaction is an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach for biodiesel production as compared to the homogeneous catalyst-based processes. In this study, a heterogeneous cobalt doping Zn/Al complex oxide was prepared by a simple birch-templating method, and successfully applied to the transesterification of jatropha oil with methanol. The catalyst had strong diffraction peaks of ZnAl2 O4 spinel crystal with substitutional doping of amorphous cobalt atom. It had a tendency to achieve a high base strength whilst increasing the specific surface area in the presence of cobalt. By contrast to the impregnation and coprecipitation methods, the crystalline particles from templating method were uniformly distributed on the catalyst surface, thus forming a well-defined tiled network with large amounts of grain-free pores. The exposure of available activity sites resulted in a biodiesel yield of 91.4%. After used several times and recycled, the regenerated catalyst also exhibited good catalytic potency without obvious deactivation. The transesterification kinetics satisfied the Pseudo first order model that controlled by the reaction temperature and catalyst dosage. The thermodynamic parameters of Δ H of 16.7 kJ/mol, Δ S of −284.6 J/mol/K, and Δ G of 140.0 kJ/mol suggested an endothermic, endergonic, and non-spontaneous nature of the reaction. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Co doped Zn-Al spinel was prepared for biodiesel production by different methods. Templating method had high specific surface area with pores evenly distributed. Efficient biodiesel yield above 90% was achieved with low levels of residual metal. The catalyst exhibited good catalytic potency and reusability after reactivation. Kinetic and thermodynamic properties of biodiesel production were assessed.