Synthesis of methyl biodiesel using a manure-based catalyst
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv11n10-078Keywords:
manure, heterogeneous catalyst, transesterification, BiodieselAbstract
The synthesis of biodiesel from non-edible feedstocks using heterogeneous catalysts derived from waste has emerged as a sustainable strategy to mitigate global warming, enhance energy security, and preserve biodiversity. The investigation of heterogeneous catalysts in biodiesel production has attracted significant attention, especially with an emphasis on improving process efficiency and sustainability. This study evaluates the potential of rural animal manures (bovine, swine, caprine, and chicken) as catalysts in biodiesel production. The waste was subjected to drying and subsequent calcination in a muffle furnace (900 °C, 3 h). Drying revealed high moisture and the presence of volatiles (cow>chicken>pig>goat), while calcination removed organic matter (chicken>pig>goat>cow) and yielded metal oxides, with the following overall drying and calcination yields: goat (76.68%), pig (58.13%), chicken (37.81%), and cow (17.78%). The dried and calcined manures were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDS. FTIR indicated the presence of silica, carbonates, and phosphates, in addition to organic groups. XRD of the calcined manures revealed predominant crystalline phases: CaO, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP, Ca₃(PO₄)₂), and silica (SiO₂). SEM showed irregular catalyst morphology resulting from the removal of organic compounds due to the calcination process, while EDS identified calcium, silicon, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium as the major elements in all catalysts. These calcined manures were used as heterogeneous catalysts in biodiesel synthesis via transesterification of soybean oil with methanol. The yield of the product obtained varied according to the catalyst used, even under the same reaction conditions, such as its use at 5% w/w relative to soybean oil: chicken (65.5%), pig (49.8%), goat (44.1%), and cow (40.1%). FTIR confirmed the formation of methyl esters after the transesterification reaction. The results demonstrate the promising application of animal manures in the sustainable biodiesel production chain.
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