Advances in catalytic transesterification routes for biodiesel production using microalgae. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Jane Weng Yee; Chia, Wen Yi; Ong, Wee-Jun; Cheah, Wai Yan; Lim, Siew Shee; Chew, Kit Wayne
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy technologies and assessments. Volume 52:Part D(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: BFSL Black soldier fly larvae -- DCM Dimethyl carbonate -- DMCHA N, N-dimethylcyclohexylamine -- FA Fatty acid -- FAEE Fatty acid ethyl ester -- FAME Fatty acid methyl ester -- FFA Free fatty acid -- FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Ray -- NA Not applicable -- PEG Polyethylene glycol -- SCM Supercritical Methanol Transesterification -- SEM Scanning electron microscope -- TEM Transmission electron microscope; Catalyst -- In-situ transesterification -- Microwave -- Operating factors -- Supercritical transesterification; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Electric power production -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seta.2022.102336
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-1388

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Microalgae as an alternative feedstock for renewable biodiesel production. In-situ transesterification minimizes the loss of microalgal lipid. Ultrasonication and microwave heating assisted in microalgal lipid extraction. Nanocatalyst eliminates saponification thus enhancing process conversion yield. Solvents, moisture content, reaction time, and temperature affect biodiesel yield. Abstract: In the era of industrialization, the issues of greenhouse effect and depletion of unrenewable fossil fuels contributed to analyzing the potential of third-generation feedstock (microalgae) for biodiesel production owing to the cost-effectiveness, high lipid properties, and lesser carbon emission. In the conventional transesterification process, lipid and methanol are converted into alkyl esters and glycerol under the aid of a catalyst at 60 °C to 70 °C. However, in-situ transesterification is suggested over various process types due to the elimination of the costly and time-consuming drying and lipid extraction processes. The heating assisted methods including ultrasonic and microwave heating, aided in the lipid extraction have also been studied. It is found that heating-assisted methods can reduce the lipid extraction time and solvent usage. Apart from the heating assisted methods, operating factors affecting the alkyl esters conversion yield had been reviewed including solvent types, solvent/biomass ratio, reaction time, temperature, and moisture content. Also, various types of catalysts utilized in the process had been determined including homogenous catalyst, heterogeneous catalyst, and nanocatalyst. In short, this paper reviewed the advanced transesterification process for biodiesel production and the interaction of process parameters in optimizing the reaction conversion yield.