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Tailoring the surface area and the acid-base properties of ZrO₂ for biodiesel production from Nannochloropsis sp.

ABSTRACT: Bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts have a great potential to overcome the shortcomings of homogeneous and enzymatic catalysts and simplify the biodiesel production processes using low-grade, high-free-fatty-acid feedstock. In this study, we developed ZrO₂-based bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts for simultaneous esterification and transesterification of microalgae to biodiesel. To avoid the disadvantage of the low surface area of ZrO₂, the catalysts were prepared via a surfactant-assisted sol-gel method, followed by hydrothermal treatments. The response surface methodology central composite design was employed to investigate various factors, like the surfactant/Zr molar ratio, pH, aging time, and temperature on the ZrO₂ surface area. The data were statistically analyzed to predict the optimal combination of factors, and further experiments were conducted for verification. Bi₂O₃ was supported on ZrO₂ via the incipient wetness impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by a variety of techniques, which disclosed that the surfactant-assisted ZrO₂ nanoparticles possess higher surface area, better acid-base properties, and well-formed pore structures than bare ZrO₂. The highest yield of fatty acid methyl esters (73.21%) was achieved using Bi₂O₃/ZrO_2(CTAB), and the catalytic activity of the developed catalysts was linearly correlated with the total densities of the acidic and basic sites. The mechanism of the simultaneous reactions was also discussed.

SUBMITTER: Rahman NJA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6838316 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Tailoring the surface area and the acid-base properties of ZrO2 for biodiesel production from Nannochloropsis sp.

Rahman Nurul Jannah Abd NJA Ramli Anita A Jumbri Khairulazhar K Uemura Yoshimitsu Y

Scientific reports 20191107 1

Bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts have a great potential to overcome the shortcomings of homogeneous and enzymatic catalysts and simplify the biodiesel production processes using low-grade, high-free-fatty-acid feedstock. In this study, we developed ZrO2-based bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts for simultaneous esterification and transesterification of microalgae to biodiesel. To avoid the disadvantage of the low surface area of ZrO2, the catalysts were prepared via a ...[more]

PMID: 31700157

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Project description:BackgroundCompared with other general energy crops, microalgae are more compatible with desert conditions. In addition, microalgae cultivated in desert regions can be used to develop biodiesel. Therefore, screening oil-rich microalgae, and researching the algae growth, CO2 fixation and oil yield in desert areas not only effectively utilize the idle desertification lands and other resources, but also reduce CO2 emission.ResultsMonoraphidium dybowskii LB50 can be efficiently cultured in the desert area using light resources, and lipid yield can be effectively improved using two-stage induction and semi-continuous culture modes in open raceway ponds (ORPs). Lipid content (LC) and lipid productivity (LP) were increased by 20% under two-stage industrial salt induction, whereas biomass productivity (BP) increased by 80% to enhance LP under semi-continuous mode in 5 m2 ORPs. After 3 years of operation, M. dybowskii LB50 was successfully and stably cultivated under semi-continuous mode for a month during five cycles of repeated culture in a 200 m2 ORP in the desert area. This culture mode reduced the supply of the original species. The BP and CO2 fixation rate were maintained at 18 and 33 g m-2 day-1, respectively. Moreover, LC decreased only during the fifth cycle of repeated culture. Evaporation occurred at 0.9-1.8 L m-2 day-1, which corresponded to 6.5-13% of evaporation loss rate. Semi-continuous and two-stage salt induction culture modes can reduce energy consumption and increase energy balance through the energy consumption analysis of life cycle.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the feasibility of combining biodiesel production and CO2 fixation using microalgae grown as feedstock under culture modes with ORPs by using the resources in the desert area. The understanding of evaporation loss and the sustainability of semi-continuous culture render this approach practically viable. The novel strategy may be a promising alternative to existing technology for CO2 emission reduction and biofuel production.

Dataset Information

Tailoring the surface area and the acid-base properties of ZrO₂ for biodiesel production from Nannochloropsis sp.

Publications

Tailoring the surface area and the acid-base properties of ZrO<sub>2</sub> for biodiesel production from Nannochloropsis sp.

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