Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Used Cooking Oil Using Anthill as Catalyst

Анотація

The emission rates of greenhouse gases produced from the use of conventional fossil fuels pose a threat to the world climate and have led to continuous research on how to reduce it, by introducing alternative energy resources. This research was undertaken to optimize biodiesel production from used cooking oil using anthill as a catalyst. Trans-esterification reaction was the process route used in carrying out biodiesel production. The anthill powder which was calcined at 800?C contained SiO₂, Al₂O_3, and CaO which serve as the support, promoter, and active ingredient respectively. The biodiesel preparations were carried out under different conditions but produced an optimum result for the different conditions; the optimum methanol to oil ratio was 12:1 and a catalyst loading of 4 wt%. The optimum reaction temperature was found to be at 60?C at a reaction time of 2 hours. The maximum yield of biodiesel produced was 96.7% under the following conditions mentioned above. The use of Anthill (heterogeneous catalyst) showed it is a potentially useful source in the synthesis of biodiesel production which is produced at high percentage purity.