Authors
Atef El Jery, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61411, Saudi Arabia
Khursheed B. Ansari, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61411, Saudi Arabia
This study focuses on the development and application of novel heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production, utilizing mono- and bimetallic catalysts supported on Al-SBA-15 and calcium oxide (CaO) derived from mussel shells. The combination of these catalysts with microwave-assisted techniques represents a groundbreaking approach to biodiesel production, enabling enhanced reaction efficiency and sustainability. The catalysts were synthesized via a wet impregnation method, incorporating transition metals such as nickel (Ni), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), and tungsten (W). Several characterization techniques, including BET, SEM/EDX, and XRD, were used to investigate the surface area, morphology, metal distribution, and crystallinity of the catalysts. The catalytic performance for biodiesel production from corn oil was evaluated under various conditions, including microwave power, catalyst loading, reaction time, and methanol-to-oil molar ratio. The results demonstrated exceptional catalytic activity and selectivity under optimal conditions. Al-SBA-15(Ni-W) and Al-SBA-15(Ni) achieved selectivity levels of 99.21% and 99.02%, respectively, at 0.8 kW microwave power, 0.5 wt.% catalyst loading, 10 minutes reaction time, and a 10:1 methanol-to-oil ratio. Similarly, mussel shell-derived catalysts (Ni-W) and (Ni-Ag) achieved 100% selectivity under conditions of 0.6 kW microwave power, 1.5 wt.% catalyst loading, 10 minutes reaction time, and a 15:1 methanol-to-oil ratio. This study underscores the effectiveness and innovation of Al-SBA-15 and mussel shell-derived catalysts in enhancing biodiesel production efficiency. By integrating advanced catalyst design with microwave-assisted techniques, this work provides scalable and eco-friendly solutions for renewable fuel synthesis, contributing to the global transition toward clean and sustainable energy.
