The study of CaO and MgO heterogenic nano-catalyst coupling on transesterification reaction efficacy in the production of biodiesel from recycled cooking oil.
BACKGROUND
Fossil fuels' pollution and their non-renewability have motivated the search for alternative fuels. Some common example of seed oils are sunflower oil, date seed oil, soy bean oil. For instance, soy methyl and soy-based biodiesel are the main biodiesel. Biodiesel is a clean diesel fuel that can be produced through transesterification reaction. Recycled cooking oil, on the other hand, is one of the inexpensive, easily available sources for producing biodiesel.


RESULTS
This article is aimed at production of biodiesel via trans-esterification method, Nano CaO synthesis using sol-gel method, and Nano MgO synthesis using sol-gel self-combustion. Two catalysts' combination affecting the reaction's efficacy was also discussed. Optimum conditions for the reaction in the presence of Nano CaO are 1.5 % weight fracture, 1:7 alcohol to oil proportion and 6 h in which biodiesel and glycerin (the byproduct) are produced. Moreover, the optimum conditions for this reaction in the presence of Nano CaO and Nano MgO mixture are 3 % weight fracture (0.7 g of Nano CaO and 0.5 g of Nano MgO), 1:7 alcohols to oil proportion and 6 h.


CONCLUSIONS
Nano MgO is not capable of catalyzing the transesterification by itself, because it has a much weaker basic affinity but when used with Nano CaO due to its surface structure, the basic properties increase and it becomes a proper base for the catalyst so that CaO contact surface increases and transesterification reaction yield significantly increases as well. This study investigates the repeatability of transesterification reaction in the presence of these Nano catalysts as well.
Department of chemistry, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Kambiz
K
Tahvildari
Department of chemistry, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Yasaman Naghavi
YN
Anaraki
Modeling and Optimization Research Center in Science and Engineering, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Reza
R
Fazaeli
Department of chemistry, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Sogol
S
Mirpanji
Nano-ophthalmology Department, Stem Cells Preparation Unit, Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Elham
E
Delrish
Biodiesel production; Heterogenic Nano-catalyst; Recycled cooking oil; Transesterification reaction