Heterogeneous nanocomposite catalysts supported on activated Egyptian clay for biofuel production from castor oil

Nabel A. Negm, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr city, Cairo, EGYPTFollow
Mohamed A. Betiha, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr city, Cairo, EGYPT
Nariman M.H. El-Wakeel, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr city, Cairo, EGYPT
Eslam A. Mohammed, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr city, Cairo, EGYPT

Article Type

Research Paper

Corresponding Author

Nabel A. Negm

Abstract

Egyptian clay named diatomite was obtained and acid-activated to prepare two heterogeneous catalysts to catalyze the conversion reaction of castor oil into biodiesel. The prepared catalysts were diatomite-copper and diatomite-copper/aluminum-layered double hydroxide composites. The catalysts were characterized using FT-IR, XRD diffraction, and N2-adsorption/desorption measurements and utilized in the conversion reaction of castor oil into biodiesel under different conditions to determine their optimum performance for yielding the maximum yield. The diatomite-copper composite showed acceptable catalyzing performance, while the more alkaline diatomite-copper/aluminum-layered double hydroxide composite exhibited excellent catalyzing performance during the transesterification conversion of castor oil. The specifications of the yielded biodiesels including viscosity@40oC, density@15oC, pour point, cloud point, cetane number, flash Point, and sulfur content were in good agreement with the standard ASTM specifications. The conversion mechanism has discussed.

Keywords

Heterogeneous catalyst; transesterification; biodiesel; fuel properties

Recommended Citation

Negm, Nabel A.; Betiha, Mohamed A.; El-Wakeel, Nariman M.H.; and Mohammed, Eslam A. (2024) "Heterogeneous nanocomposite catalysts supported on activated Egyptian clay for biofuel production from castor oil," Egyptian Journal of Petroleum: Vol. 33 : Iss. 1 , Article 8.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.62593/2090-2468.1012