Production and Optimisation of Oxygenated Biofuel Blend Components via the Ethanolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Response Surface Methodology

Mohamad A. Nahil, Omar Aboelazayem, Scott Wiseman, Neel Herar, Valerie Dupont, Ali Alazzawi, Alison S. Tomlin and Andrew B. Ross ()
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Mohamad A. Nahil: School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Omar Aboelazayem: School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Scott Wiseman: School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Neel Herar: School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Valerie Dupont: School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Ali Alazzawi: School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Alison S. Tomlin: School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Andrew B. Ross: School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-26

Abstract: In this study, a response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite design (CCD) was implemented to investigate the influence of process variables on ethyl levulinate (EL) production from the ethanolysis of waste corn cob samples, using sulphuric acid as a catalyst. The effects of four independent variables, namely, the temperature (A), the corn cob content (B), corn cob/H 2 SO 4 mass ratio (C) and the reaction time (D) on the yields of EL (Y 1 ), diethyl ether (DEE) (Y 2 ) and solid residue (Y 3 ) were explored. Using multiple regression analysis, the experimental results were fitted to quadratic polynomial models. The predicted yields based on the fitted models were well within the experimental uncertainties. Optimum conditions for maximising the EL yield were found to be 176 °C, 14.6 wt. %, 21:1 and 6.75 h for A to D, respectively. A moderate-to-high EL yield (29.2%) from corn cob was achieved in optimised conditions, a result comparable to those obtained from model C 6 carbohydrate compounds. Side products were also produced, including diethyl ether, furfural, levulinic acid, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, ethyl acetate, ethyl formate and water. Total unknown losses of only 5.69% were reported after material balancing. The results suggest that lignocellulosic waste such as corn cob can be used as a potential feedstock for the production of ethyl levulinate by direct acid-catalysed ethanolysis, but that the treatment of side products will need to be considered.

Keywords: ethanolysis; ethyl levulinate; corn cob; RSM; homogeneous catalyst; oxygenates (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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