Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Used Vegetable Oil using Functionalized Catalyst derived from Anthill
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4314/njtd.v22i1.3377Keywords:
Biodiesel, Silica , Transesterification , Functionalised catalyst , Optimization, AnthillAbstract
In this research, silica-supported catalyst was developed from Anthill and zirconia for biodiesel production using used vegetable oil (UVO) in a transesterification process.  The catalyst, which was made up of 80 wt% silica from Anthill and 20 wt% zirconia, was prepared by wet impregnation method and calcined at 800℃ for 4 h in a muffle furnace. The developed catalyst was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Ray (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The characterisation showed that the product has good catalytic activity for the transesterification reaction. Optimisation of the process parameters; reaction temperature, time, catalyst loading, and methanol to oil ratio were investigated using central composite design (CCD). The optimum conditions for optimal yield (97.88%.) were 1 h reaction time, 65 ℃ temperature, 0.5 wt.% catalyst loading, and 9:1 methanol to oil ratio. The experimental biodiesel yield was validated in triplicate at the optimal conditions and an average biodiesel yield of 97.78% was obtained which falls within the range predicted by the model. The quality of biodiesel produced was within the specification limits of biodiesel standard. The experimental study confirmed that the silica-supported catalyst developed from anthill is capable of transesterification of UVO into biodiesel under optimized conditions. Hence, the study recommends that other naturally occurring materials could be used as catalyst support to avoid low yield of biodiesel production.
References
Adepoju, T.F., Ibeh, M.A., Babatunde, E.O., Abegunde, G.S. and Asuquo, A.J. (2020): Appraisal of CaO derived from waste fermented-unfermented kola nut pod for Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) synthesis from Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter) oil. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 33:160-171.
Adepoju, T.F, Ibeh, M.A, Udoetuk, E.N and Babatunde E.O (2021): Quaternary blend of Carica papaya - Citrus sinesis - Hibiscus sabdariffa – Waste used oil for biodiesel synthesis using CaO-based catalyst derived from binary mix of Lattorina littorea and Mactra coralline Shell. Journal of Renewable Energy, 171:22-33.
Adepoju, T. F., Ukanwa, K. F., Eyibio, U. P., Etim, V., Amabogha, B., Eloka-Eboka, A. C., Balogun, T. A. (2023). Biodiesel production from renewable biosources ternary oil blends and its kinetic-thermodynamic parameters using Eyring Polanyi and Gibb’s-Duhem equations, South Africa Journal, of Chemical Engineering. 44, 103–112.
Ajala, E. O., Ajala, M. A., Afolabi, F. D., Ajala, J. O., Opawoye, S. and Ariyoosu, D. A (2024). Waste-ram-fat as a Feedstock for Biodiesel Production using Heterogeneous Catalyst of Kaolinite-clay Impregnated Calcium-oxide from Chicken Eggshell. Nigeria Journal of Technological Development. 21(4), 168-178.
Ali, C. H., Asif, A. H., Iqbal, T., Sattar, A., Kazmi, M. A., Yasin, S., and Mu, B. (2018). Improved transesterification of used cooking oil into biodiesel using calcined goat bone as a catalyst. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 40,(9), 1076-1083.
Al-Sharifi, M. and Znad, H. (2019). Development of a lithium-based chicken bone (Li-Cb) composite as an efficient catalyst for biodiesel production. Renewable Energy, 136, 856-864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.01.052.
Babatunde E. O., Saka H. B., Olutoye M. A., Akpan U.G. and M. Auta. (2020). Synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters from used vegetable oil using activated anthill as catalyst. Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH), 39, (1), 140-147.
Babatunde E. O., Saka H. B., Aderibigbe F. A., Yusuff A.S., Bisheswar K., Samuel L. R. and Gopinath H. (2022a). Valorization of restaurant used oil and cow-bone doped siliceous termite hills towards biodiesel production: Kinetics and thermodynamics. Journal of Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 30:100895.
Babatunde, E. O., Aderibigbe, F. A., Ebhodaghe, S. O. and Ogunjobi T. O (2022b): Optimization and kinetic study of biodiesel production from beef tallow using calcium oxide as a heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst, Journal of Energy Conversion and Management: X, 4:100221
Babatunde, E.O., Enomah, S., Akwenuke, O. M., Adepoju, T. F., Okwelum, C. O., Mundu, M.M., Aiki, A., Oghenejabor, O.D (2025). Novel-activated carbon from waste green coconut husks for the synthesis of biodiesel from pig fat oil blends with tallow seed oil. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 11:101058, Berchmans H.J and Hirata, S. (2012) Biodiesel production from crude Jatropha curcas L. seed oil with a high content of free fatty acids. Bioresource. Technology, 99, (6), 1716-1721.
Betiku, E., Omilakin, O.R and Ajala, S.O. (2014). Mathematical modelling and process parameters optimization studies by artificial neural network and response surface methodology: A case of non-edible neem (Azadirachta indica) seed oil biodiesel synthesis. Energy, 72, 266-273.
Bisheswar K., Sucharita S. and Gopinath H. (2020). Delonix regia heterogeneous catalyzed two- step biodiesel production from Pongamia pinnata oil using methanol and 2-propanol. Journal of Cleaner Production, 120313.
Chuah, L.F., Bokhari, A., Suzana, Y., Klemes, J.J., Akbar, M.M and Saminathan, S. (2016). Optimisation on pretreatment of rubber seed (Hevea brasiliensis) oil via esterification reaction in a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor. Biomass conversion and biorefinery, 7, (1), 91-99.
Chaveanghong, S., Smith, S. M., Smith, C. B., Luengnaruemitchai, A., and Boonyuen, S. (2018). Simultaneous transesterification and esterification of acidic oil feedstocks catalyzed by heterogeneous tungsten loaded bovine bone under mild conditions. Renewable Energy, 126, 156–162.
Dhawane, S.H., Bora, A.P., Kumar, T and Halder, G. (2017). Parametric optimization of biodiesel synthesis from rubber seed oil using iron doped carbon catalyst by Taguchi approach. Renewable Energy, 105, 616-624.
Dhawane, S. H., Karmakar, B., Ghosh, S., and Halder, G. (2018). Parametric optimisation of biodiesel synthesis from used cooking oil via Taguchi approach. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 6, (4), 3971–3980.
Goyal, P., Sharma, M.P and Jain, S. (2012). Optimization of esterification and transesterification of high FFA Jatropha curcas oil using response surface methodology. Journal of Petroleum and Science Research, 1, (3), 36-43.
Halder, G., Dhawane, S., Barai, P and Das, A. (2015a). Optimizing chromium (VI) adsorption onto superheated steam activated granular carbon through response surface methodology and artificial neutral network. Environment program sustainable energy, 34, (3) 638-647.
Halder, S., Dhawane, S.H., Kumar, T. and Halder, G. (2015b). Acid-catalyzed esterification of castor (Ricinus communis) oil: optimization through a central composite design approach. Biofuels, 6, 191-201.
Ismail S. A. A. and Ali R. F. M. (2015). Physico-chemical properties of biodiesel manufactured from used frying oil using domestic adsorbents. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials,
Lee, A.F., Bennett, J.A., Manayil, J.C and Wilson, K. (2014). Heterogeneous Catalysis for sustainable biodiesel production via esterification and transesterification. Chemical Society Review, 43, 7887–7916.
Mardhiah, H. H., Ong, H. C., Masjuki, H. H., Lim, S., and Lee, H. V. (2017). A review on latest developments and future prospects of heterogeneous catalyst in biodiesel production from non-edible oils. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 67, 1225–1236.
Nisar, J., Razaq, R., Farooq, M., Iqbal, M., Khan, R. A., Sayed, M., and Rahman, I. (2017). Enhanced biodiesel production from Jatropha oil using calcined used animal bones as catalyst. Renewable Energy, 101, 111–119.
Odetoye, T. E., Agu, J. O., & Ajala, E. O. (2021). Biodiesel production from poultry wastes: Waste chicken fat and eggshell. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, May, 105654.
Okwonna, O. O., Obuebite, A. A., and Otaraku, I. J. (2023). Oil extraction from Treculia africana seeds: process conditions, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. Nigerian Journal of Technological Development, 20(3):54-62.
Olutoye, M. A. and Hameed, B. H. (2011). Synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester from used vegetable cooking oil by solid reusable Mg1-xZn1+xO2 catalyst. Bioresource Technology, 102, 3819-3826.
Olutoye, M. A. and Hameed, B.A. (2013). A highly active clay-based catalyst for the synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester from used cooking palm oil. Applied Catalysis A: General, 450, 57-62.
Ozioko, F.C, Onwuachi-Iheagwara, P. N., Cyril, A., Mabel, K., Nwadiolu,R., Oboreh, J.C., Adepoju, T. F., Oboreh, J.S.(2024) Synthesis of biofuel from Luffas cylindrical- Dennettia tripetala oil blend (BT40) using catalytic sweet corn stock acidified with iron (III) sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3), South Africa Journal, of Chemical Engineering. 49, 200–209,
Ramachandran, K., Suganya, T., Gandhi, N. N., and Renganathan, S. (2013). Recent developments for biodiesel production by ultrasonic assist transesterification using different heterogeneous catalyst: a review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 22, 410-418.
Refaat, A.A. (2011). Biodiesel production using solid metal oxide catalysts. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 8(1), 203 – 221.
Sharma, Y. C., Singh, B. and Korstad, J. (2010). Application of an efficient nonconventional heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel synthesis from pongamiapinnata oil. Energy Fuels, 24, 3223-3231
Sumit H. D, Tarkeshwar K. and Gopinath H. (2016). Biodiesel synthesis from hevea brasiliensis oil employing carbon supported heterogeneous catalyst:Optimization by Taguchi method. Renewable Energy, 89, 506-514.
Takase M., Zhang M, Feng W., Chen Y., Zhao T and Cobbina, S. (2014) Application of zirconia modified with KOH as heterogeneous solid base catalyst to new non-edible oil for biodiesel. Energy Conversion Management, 80, 117–25.
Wang, Z., Qu, Z., Quan, X. and Wang, H. (2012). Selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen over ceria–zirconia mixed oxides. Applied Catalysis A: General. 114, 131-138.
Yusuff, A. S., Adeniyi, O. D., Olutoye, M. A., and Akpan, U. G. (2018). Development and Characterization of a Composite Anthill chicken Eggshell Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Used Frying Oil. International Journal of Technology, 1, 1-11.
Yusuff, A. S & Owolabi J.O. (2019). Synthesis and characterization of alumina supported coconut chaff catalyst for biodiesel production from used frying oil. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 30, 42-49.
Yusuff, A. S., Popoola L.T. and Babatunde E.O. (2019). Adsorption of cadmium ion from aqueous solutions by copper-based metal organic framework: equilibrium modelling and kinetic studies. Journal of applied water science 9, 106.
Yusuff, A. S., Aka, O. P., Igbafe, I. A. (2023a). Optimization of Methanolysis of Used Cooking Oil by the Taguchi Experimental Design Approach. Chemical Engineering Technology. 47(3), 494–503.
Yusuff, A.S., Dada, T., Olateju, I.I., Azeez, T.M., Azeez, S.O. (2023b): Experimental investigation of influence of methyl, ethyl and methyl-ethyl ester blends of used cooking oil on engine performances and emissions. Energy Conversion Management X 17, 10034.
Zou, H. and Lei, M. (2012). Optimum process and kinetic study of Jatropha curcas oil pre-esterificationin ultrasonical field. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 43, (5), 730-735
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nigerian Journal of Technological Development
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
In accordance with the Copyright Act of 1976, which became effective January 1, 1978, the following statement signed by each author must accompany the manuscript submitted: "I, the undersigned author, transfer all copyright ownership of the manuscript referenced above to the Nigerian Journal of Technological Development, in the event the work is published. I warrant that the article is original, does not infringe upon any copyright or other proprietary right of any third party, is not under consideration by another journal, and has not been published previously. I have reviewed and approve the submitted version of the manuscript and agree to its publication in the Nigerian Journal of Technological Development." A copyright transfer form should be downloaded from the NJTD Website ( http://njtd.com.ng/index.php/njtd). Author(s) will be consulted, whenever possible, regarding republication of material. All authors must have access to the data presented and the authors and sponsor (if applicable) must agree to share original data with the editor if requested.
