Characterization of rare earths obtained from monazite concentrate processing and their application in esterification for biodiesel production. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rattanaphra, Dussadee; Kingkam, Wilasinee; Nuchdang, Sasikarn; Suwanmanee, Unchalee
• Is Part Of: Energy reports. Volume 8(2022)
• Page Start: 6914
• Page End: 6928
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Lanthanum -- Neodymium -- Cerium -- Calcination temperature -- Biodiesel; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.04205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2022.05.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4847

Abstract

Abstract: Rare earths namely lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd) and cerium (Ce) obtained from the monazite concentrate processing were comprehensively characterized using XRF, XRD, FTIR, N 2 adsorption–desorption, CO2 /NH3 -TPD and SEM to reveal their catalytic performance in esterification of oleic acid for biodiesel production. The effect of calcination temperatures (500–1000 °C) on the catalyst properties and biodiesel conversion was also investigated. The catalytic performances of the catalysts were tested under the conditions of catalyst loading 3 wt%, molar ratio of oil to methanol 1:20, reaction temperature 200 °C, stirring rate 600 rpm for 5 h. It is interesting that the Ce catalyst calcined at 1000 °C showed the best performance and the highest FAME content of 78.54% could be achieved, even its acid sites was very low, which is probably associated to the availability of oxygen vacancies at high calcination temperature. The La catalysts calcined at 600 °C exhibited the balancing of strong Lewis acid and Lewis basic sites, which is related to the catalytic activity with FAME content of 74.44%. For the catalytic performance of Nd catalysts, the FAME content of 63.60% was obtained at calcination temperature of 500 °C, which was lower than those La and Ce catalysts. Graphical abstract: Highlights: La, Nd and Ce catalysts are utilized as catalyst for esterification of oleic acid. The maximum conversion of 78.54% was achieved over Ce catalyst calcined at 1000 °C. More oxygen vacancies forming on surface of Ce may promote the esterification activity. The high activity of La and Nd could attributed to the balancing of strong acid-basic sites.