Investigation of Novel Transition Metal Loaded Hydrochar Catalyst Synthesized from Waste Biomass (Rice Husk) and Its Application in Biodiesel Production Using Waste Cooking Oil (WCO)

Laraib Aamir Khan, Rabia Liaquat (), Mohammed Aman, Mohammad Kanan, Muhammad Saleem, Asif Hussain Khoja, Ali Bahadar and Waqar Ul Habib Khan
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Laraib Aamir Khan: U.S-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Rabia Liaquat: U.S-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Mohammed Aman: Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Business and Technology, Jeddah 21448, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Kanan: Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Business and Technology, Jeddah 21448, Saudi Arabia
Muhammad Saleem: Department of Industrial Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
Asif Hussain Khoja: U.S-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Ali Bahadar: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
Waqar Ul Habib Khan: U.S-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-22

Abstract: The decarbonization of transportation plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change, and biodiesel has emerged as a promising solution due to its renewable and eco-friendly nature. However, in order to maintain the momentum of the “green trend” and ensure energy security, an ecologically friendly pathway is important to produce efficient biodiesel. In this work, activated carbon (AC) obtained from rice husk (RH) is hydrothermally prepared and modified through cobalt transition metal for catalyst support for the transesterification process. The physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized catalysts are examined using XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDS, TGA, and BET, while the produced biodiesel is also characterized using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). To optimize the transesterification process, Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) are produced by the conversion of waste cooking oil. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used to validate temperature (75 °C), the methanol-to-oil molar ratio (1:9), catalyst weight percentage (2 wt.%), and retention time (52.5 min). The highest conversion rate of waste cooking oil (WCO) to biodiesel was recorded at 96.3% and tested as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Based on the results, it is clear that cobalt-loaded rice husk-based green catalyst (RHAC-Co) enhanced catalytic activity and yield for biodiesel production. Further research should focus on engine performance evaluation and scaling up of the catalyst by optimizing it for the industrial scale.

Keywords: activated carbon; heterogeneous catalyst; hydrothermal carbonization; transesterification; biodiesel; response surface methodology (RSM) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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