Production of Silica based Catalyst from Rice Husk for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

Global energy scenario is changing from the time the scarcity of fossil fuels has become prominent. High level of pollution caused by the abrupt use of petroleum and coal has caused unrepairable damage of the environment in a small-time span which has triggered global warming. To mitigate this problem there was a necessity of alternate eco-friendly fuels which can be used in existing IC engines in the transport sector. Biodiesel produced from inedible oil and waste oil is a good alternative to petroleum diesel fuel. To make it more effective and pocket friendly, heterogeneous catalysts were deployed for biodiesel engenderment. In this research work, rice husk was used to produce silica-based catalyst and then the same was used for biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. Rice husk was treated at 450 degC for 2 hrs and then dissolved in basic solution of 1N KOH and 1N NaOH, separately and mixed with 600 rpm for 2hrs at 60(C in a ratio 1:6 to extract Si. Calciumoxide (CaO) derived from eggshells, commercially obtained CaO, lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and silica produced from rice husk were mixed and treated at 80°C for 4 hours. The mixture was then subjected to drying and calcination to create the catalyst. Biodiesel was synthesized from waste cooking oil using this heterogeneous catalyst with a 6:1 molar ratio, 1.75% catalyst concentration, 135°C reaction temperature and 120 minutes reaction time. The properties of the produced biodiesel met the specifications outlined in ASTM and BIS standards.