Title : Parametric study on biodiesel production from neem seed kernel oil using photocatalysis
Abstract:
Biodiesel production from non-edible feedstocks has gained significant attention as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Among various feedstocks, neem seed kernel oil presents a promising option due to its non-edible nature, wide availability, and high oil content. In this study, neem seed kernel oil was utilized for biodiesel synthesis through an advanced photocatalytic approach, aiming to enhance efficiency under mild operating conditions. Oil extraction was performed using different solvents to investigate their effect on both yield and physicochemical properties of the extracted oil. The variation in solvent polarity played a crucial role in determining extraction efficiency and quality, which directly influences subsequent conversion processes. The extracted oil exhibited a high free fatty acid (FFA) content, necessitating a two-step conversion process. Initially, esterification was carried out to reduce the FFA level, followed by transesterification to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), i.e., biodiesel. A novel composite photocatalyst consisting of biochar, TiO?, and Fe?O? was synthesized and employed in the reaction system. The reactions were conducted in a photoreactor under visible light irradiation using a halogen lamp as the light source. A systematic parametric study was performed to evaluate the influence of key reaction parameters, including catalyst loading, methanol-to-oil ratio, and reaction conditions, on the overall conversion efficiency. The results revealed that a catalyst loading of 4% yielded superior esterification performance compared to lower concentrations, significantly reducing the FFA content and facilitating efficient transesterification. The photocatalytic process demonstrated improved reaction rates and enhanced biodiesel yield under relatively mild conditions, highlighting its energyefficient nature. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of solvent selection in optimizing oil extraction and overall process efficiency. The integration of solvent optimization with photocatalytic conversion provides a sustainable and effective pathway for biodiesel production from neem seed oil. This approach not only improves fuel yield but also contributes to the development of cleaner and greener energy technologies.
