AU2021103220A4

AU2021103220A4 - A process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification

Info

Publication number: AU2021103220A4
Application number: AU2021103220A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Damodar Reddy Edla; Suman Gandi; Motilal Lakavat; Nageswara Rao Lakkimsetty; Ahoud AL Mukhaini; Saidi Reddy Parne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-06-09
Filing date: 2021-06-09
Publication date: 2022-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-09

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods. The process comprises mixing methanol and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) until the sodium hydroxide completely dissolved for about 2 minutes; adding 100 ml of waste cooking oil to this mixture; blending the mixture at low speed for 20-30 minutes; and pouring the mixture into a wide-mouth jar that considers as a procedure of production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using the microwave method. 18 :3 : cii ao L: S 31 4-JE ~ E rw CC ~r4 ~ r ti a4i 0 - r 2: 4 ii +'jA C Mii~ a_ 04 w -Jl 46 41 x a n F. E l 4-00 2L

Description

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A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING BIODIESEL FROM WASTE COOKING OIL BY USING TRANSESTERIFICATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to biodiesel production methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Renewable sources of energy continue to be one of the most important challenges facing humanity. Scientific, technological, and industrial progress has been accompanied by a sharp increase in demand for all energy sources. Despite the research undertaken to develop renewable sources of energy, are an obstacle to this ongoing research. Biodiesel is a combustible fuel that is biodegradable and made from vegetable oil or animal fat. It is desirable as an alternative to petroleum fuel because it uses renewable resources that are less damaging to the environment to produce and emit less harmful greenhouse gasses when burned as fuel. Biodiesel fuel can be used in any vehicle with a compression ignition engine that can take regular diesel fuel. Biodiesel is produced from all types of vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, cotton, rapeseed, and hemp These oils may be fresh (unused) or maybe leftover from kitchens and food factories such as breweries, biscuits, fast food restaurants, and others. These oils are processed for biodiesel, where they are first filtered to get rid of the impurities in them, then heated to °C, and then added to one of the alcohols, such as methanol or ethanol, with a catalyst such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

In addition, the previous reaction is chemically known as the esterase reaction, where methyl ester, ethyl ester, and glycerine are produced as a by-product. Furthermore, the previous mixture is heated with stirring for one hour with pH control to be equal to the optimum level. This degree can be controlled by adding the auxiliary agent with caution and attention then the mixture is transferred to the separation tank where two layers are formed, the upper layer is biodiesel and the lower layer glycerine finally separation of biodiesel is calculated by hydrometer and must be between 0.85 to 0.9 g/cm 3

. Biodiesel is obtained from palm oil, soybeans, rapeseed, sunflower, and castor oil, in methyl or ethyl esters by the transesterification method. Where the process consists of three chains of fatty acids from each tri glyceride molecule that reacts with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to obtain ethyl or methyl esters.

From the results, variables affecting the production of biodiesel are the concentration of the catalyst, molar ratio of alcohol to oil. As per the above, the best-operating conditions are the molar ratio of alcohol to aceite 9:1, Catalyst concentration 0.7% w/w, Interaction temperature 50 °C, and Washing agent 40 °C of water. In addition, ranges are established for the operating conditions of the transesterification reaction by using different parameters shown in Table 1. Table 1 Operating Conditions of Transesterification Method.

SELECTION PARAMETERS RANGES

Low Middle High

Catalyst concentration (0/ow/w) 0. 2 % - 1% >1% - 3% > 3 %- 15%

Molar ratio Alcohol/oil 3:1 - 6:1 >6:1- 12:1 >12:1- 80:1

Temperature (C°) 50 - 60 >60- 100 >100- 200

Yield (%) 20 -70 >70- 90 >90- 100

Reaction time (hours) 0.16- 1 >1- 2 >2- 40

Trans esterification of triglycerides with alcohol with acid-base catalyst process can produce biodiesel. A stepwise mechanism is used to convert Tri-Glyceride to (TG), Diglycerides (DG) to Monoglycerides (MG) then to Glycerol. About 1 mol of TG and 3 mol of alcohol are required to produce 3 mol FAME and 1 mol glycerin. Moreover, there are specific parameters are used in this studied for example catalyst, the molar ratio of Alcohol to Triglyceride, mixing, the content of free fatty acid, reaction temperature, and reagent. Moreover, many experiments will be carried out to study the possibility of converting waste cooking oils to produces biodiesel.

In the view of the forgoing discussion, it is clearly portrayed that there is a need to have a process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure seeks to provide a process for producing biodiesel with less reaction time from waste cooking oil by using supercritical transesterification and microwave methods.

In an embodiment, a process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods is disclosed. The process includes mixing methanol and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) until the sodium hydroxide completely dissolved for about 2 minutes. The process further includes adding 100 ml of waste cooking oil to this mixture. The process further includes blending the mixture at low speed for 20-30 minutes. The process further includes pouring the mixture into a wide-mouth jar that considers as a procedure of production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using the microwave method.

In an embodiment, mixing 100ml of methanol with the catalyst, typically a strong base such as NaOH (1 g) in a transesterification method.

In an embodiment, methanol/catalyst reacts with fatty acid so that the transesterification reaction takes place.

In an embodiment, the NaOH breaks into ions of Na+ and OH-, wherein the OH- abstracts the hydrogen from methanol to form water and leaves the CH30- available for reaction, wherein methanol is as dry as possible.

In an embodiment, when the OH- ion reacts with the H+ ion to form water and water increases the possibility of a side reaction with free fatty acids.

In an embodiment, once the catalyst is prepared, the triglyceride reacts with 3 mols of methanol, so excess methanol is used in the reaction to ensure complete reaction, wherein three attached carbons with hydrogen react with OH- ions and form glycerin, while the CH3 group reacts with the free fatty acid to form the fatty acid methyl ester.

In an embodiment, heating the mixture for manufacturing biodiesel faster with low methanol/ oil mass ratio in microwave technique.

In an embodiment, microwave technique utilizes NaOH catalysts to reduce reaction time and for converting carboxylic acid ester into a different carboxylic acid ester.

In an embodiment, ester is placed in a large excess of alcohol along with the presence of NaOH for exchange of alkoxy groups.

In an embodiment, excess of alcohol is used to drive the reaction forward and that consider as a transesterification method.

An object of the present disclosure is to study the comparative for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO) by using transesterification and microwave methods.

Another object of the present disclosure is to develop a conceptual design of a production process in which waste cooking oil is converted via supercritical transesterification with methanol to methyl esters (biodiesel).

Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce reaction time of the biodiesel.

Yet another object of the present invention is to deliver an expeditious and cost-effective process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a flow chart of a process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 illustrates a viscosity by using oil after filter process in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 illustrates a viscosity by using microwave method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 illustrates a viscosity by using transesterification method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 illustrates a GC analysis of biodiesel by using microwave method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 6 illustrates a GC analysis of biodiesel by using transesterification method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to "an aspect", "another aspect" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises...a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, a flow chart of a process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 102, the process 100 includes mixing methanol and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) until the sodium hydroxide completely dissolved for about 2 minutes.

At step 104, the process 100 includes adding 100 ml of waste cooking oil to this mixture. At step 106, the process 100 includes blending the mixture at low speed for 20-30 minutes.

At step 108, the process 100 includes pouring the mixture into a wide-mouth jar that considers as a procedure of production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using the microwave method.

In an embodiment, once the catalyst is prepared, the triglyceride reacts with 3 mols of methanol, so excess methanol is used in the reaction to ensure complete reaction. Three attached carbons with hydrogen react with OH- ions and form glycerin, while the CH3 group reacts with the free fatty acid to form the fatty acid methyl ester.

Figure 2 illustrates a viscosity by using oil after filter process in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Viscosity it's defined as the flow of a fluid in a liquid or a gas phase with the time taken. The viscosity of waste cooking oil should be lowered for fuel while used for the production of biodiesel. In addition, the special method that was used to reduce the viscosity is to convert the waste cooking oil into fatty acid methyl ester. The viscosity of waste cooking oil is up to eight times as high as that of light oil of standard biodiesel. in addition, the viscosity with adjusting different temperatures 40 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C was direct proportional that means when the temperature increased the flow of waste cooking oil will increase also. As result, the calculation of viscosity of waste cooking oil after the filter process was 40.85 mm 2 /sec, 24.43 mm 2/sec, 20.2 mm 2/sec, 15.59 mm 2/sec, and 12.31 mm 2 /sec in the sequence of temperature. Moreover, by using the microwave method the viscosity was calculated to reach 6.81 mm 2 /sec, 5.27 mm 2/sec, 3.96 mm 2 /sec, 2.18 mm 2/sec, and 0.17 mm 2/sec sequence of temperature. Besides, the calculation of viscosity of waste cooking oil by using transesterification method was 4.95 mm 2 /sec which is near to the standard value of biodiesel that was 5.0 mm 2 /sec that means there is little few an error during the experiment such as the recording time of flow of biodiesel.

Figure 2 shows the flow of waste cooking oil after the filter process with respect to time. The relationship of temperature Vs time is inverse which means when increase temperature the time of flow of waste cooking oil will decrease.

Figure 3 illustrates a viscosity by using microwave method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 displays the flow of biodiesel by using the microwave method at different temperatures. When the temperature reached to 40 °C the time taken was 48 sec, so the viscosity was 6.81 mm 2 /sec that approximately near to the standard value of biodiesel.

Figure 4 illustrates a viscosity by using transesterification method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 shows the relationship of temperature Vs viscosity. The relation was directly proportional which means when temperature increase the viscosity will increase. As the result show when the temperature 40, 60, , 80, and 90 °C the viscosity was calculated to be 4.95, 4.3, 3.28, 1.42, and 0.6 mm 2 /sec in sequence.

Specific gravity is a ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance. Moreover, the calculation of specific gravity of waste cooking oil after filter process, by using transesterification method and by using microwave method was 0.888, 0.880, and 0.862 in sequence. As result, the values of the experimental part were almost equal to the standard value of biodiesel witch equal to 0.88.

Density is a mass per unit volume. The calculation of density of waste cooking oil after filter process, by using transesterification method and by using microwave method was 974 kg/M 3 , 850 kg/m 3 , and 897.2 kg/M3 in sequence. As result, the value by using the transesterification method was nearer to the standard value of biodiesel witch equal to 900 kg/iM 3 .

Flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which vapor above a flammable substance ignites in the air when exposed to flame. The calculation of flashpoint of waste cooking oil after filter process, by using transesterification method and by using microwave method was 340 °C, 145 °C, and 150 °C in sequence. Finally, the values of temperature were far from the standard value of biodiesel due to a mistake during experimenting for example the time taken for vapor to reveal a flammable substance.

Figure 5 illustrates a GC analysis of biodiesel by using microwave method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Gas chromatography (GC) is a common type of chromatography used in analytical chemistry for separating and analyzing compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. Typical uses of GC include testing the purity of a particular substance or separating the different components of a mixture. In some situations, GC may help in identifying a compound. In preparative chromatography, GC can be used to prepare pure compounds from a mixture.

Figure 5 represents the analysis of gas chromatography (GC) of biodiesel production by using the microwave method. The x-axis is the time in the min and the y axis is the response in mv. At the time 1.766 min, peak 1 was presented and took about 5 mv of response. At the time 13.151 min the Methyl Myristate component was presented and took about 6.5 mV of response. At the time 15.873 min the Methyl Palmitate component was presented and took about 7.2 mV of response. At the time 17.990 min the Methyl Linolenate component was presented and took about 8.8 mV of response. Finally, at the time 18.393 min the Methyl Oleate component was presented and took about 9 mv of response.

Figure 6 illustrates a GC analysis of biodiesel by using transesterification method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 represents the analysis of gas chromatography (GC) of biodiesel production by using the transesterification method. The x-axis is the time in the min and the y axis is the response in mv. At the time 1.531 min, the Hexane was presented and took about 2 mv of response. At the time 15.999 min the

Methyl Palmitate component was presented and took about 5.3 mV of response.

At the time 17.973 min the Methyl Stearate component was presented and took about 5.9 mV of response. At the time 18.132 min the Methyl Eicosanoate component was presented and took about 6.1 mv of response. At the time 18.538 min the Methyl Arachidate component was presented and took about 6.2 mv of response. Finally, at the time 21.966 min the Methyl Heneicosanoat component was presented and took about 7.5 mv of response.

The processed is aimed to extract biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods. In addition, the present investigation explores the possibility of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. Moreover, the source of biofuels is living organisms such as plants and animals, so it is one of the oldest fuels because of human use of firewood in heating and cooking since time immemorial. The scientific definition of biofuels is that it is an environmentally clean liquid fuel which is extracted from seed plants such as cotton, linen, sesame, and soya. Moreover, Research on biofuels has been carried out on the same gasoline engine without any modifications to the engine by mixing gasoline with fuel at certain rates or by using biofuels only without mixing.

This technical report aimed to study the comparative for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO) by using transesterification and microwave methods. The process describes the conceptual design of a production process in which waste cooking oil is converted via supercritical transesterification with methanol to methyl esters (biodiesel). Moreover, many experiments will be carried out to study the possibility of converting waste cooking oils to produces biodiesel. The viscosity of the biodiesel ethyl ester by using the microwave method was found to be

6.81 mm 2 /sec, while it was measured 40.85 mm 2 /sec in room temperature at 400 C of waste cooking oil and by using transesterification method it was equal to 4.95 mm 2 /sec. From the tests, the flashpoint of the biodiesel ethyl ester by using the microwave method, waste cooking oil, and biodiesel ethyl ester by using transesterification method sequentially was found to be 145, 340 °C and 150 °C. Also, the density of the biodiesel ethyl ester by using the microwave method, waste cooking oil, and biodiesel ethyl ester by using the transesterification method was found to be 850, 974, and 897.2 kg /m 3 . Finally, the specific gravity of the biodiesel ethyl ester by using the microwave method, waste cooking oil, and biodiesel ethyl ester by using transesterification method was determined 0.880, 0.888, and 0.862.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. A process for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using transesterification and microwave methods, the process comprises:

mixing methanol and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) until the sodium hydroxide completely dissolved for about 2 minutes; adding 100 ml of waste cooking oil to this mixture; blending the mixture at low speed for 20-30 minutes; and pouring the mixture into a wide-mouth jar that considers as a procedure of production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil by using the microwave method.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein mixing 100ml of methanol with the catalyst, typically a strong base such as NaOH (1 g) in a transesterification method.

3. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein methanol/catalyst reacts with fatty acid so that the transesterification reaction takes place.

4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the NaOH breaks into ions of Na+ and OH-, wherein the OH- abstracts the hydrogen from methanol to form water and leaves the CH30- available for reaction, wherein methanol is as dry as possible.

5. The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the OH- ion reacts with the H+ ion to form water and water increases the possibility of a side reaction with free fatty acids.

6. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein once the catalyst is prepared, the triglyceride reacts with 3 mols of methanol, so excess methanol is used in the reaction to ensure complete reaction, wherein three attached carbons with hydrogen react with OH- ions and form glycerin, while the CH3 group reacts with the free fatty acid to form the fatty acid methyl ester.

7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein heating the mixture for manufacturing biodiesel faster with low methanol/ oil mass ratio in microwave technique.

8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein microwave technique utilizes NaOH catalysts to reduce reaction time and for converting carboxylic acid ester into a different carboxylic acid ester.

9. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein ester is placed in a large excess of alcohol along with the presence of NaOH for exchange of alkoxy groups.

10. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein excess of alcohol is used to drive the reaction forward and that consider as a transesterification method.

Figure 5

Figure 6