Methanolysis of avocado peel oil using heterogeneous catalyst enhanced by microwave heating and parametric optimization

ABSTRACT

The focus of the present research was on producing fatty acid-methyl ester from Avocado Peel Oil (APO) using cement clinker as a catalyst at different reaction conditions. The APO used in this study of characterized by their physicochemical properties. Hence, the avocado peel was used in this study for the manufacture of fatty acid-based methyl ester as a substitute for diesel oil. To make methyl esters from fatty acids, APO was heated in a microwave and then transesterified with a cement clinker catalyst. Using the response surface method (RSM), the best yield of fatty acid-methyl ester was calculated. The model equation predicted an ideal yield value of 84.5% at 72.6 min, a concentration of catalyst 4.4% w/w, and methanol to oil mole ratio of 12.7:1. The experimentally obtained methyl ester yield of 82.45% at optimum process variables coincided with the model equations predicted. The optimum conversion of methyl ester determined by the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum was 98.36%. As a result, the physicochemical properties evaluated at optimum value were within the international standard limits.

KEYWORDS:

• Avocado peel oil
• transesterification
• cement clinker
• optimization
• fatty acid methyl ester

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melkiyas Diriba Muleta

Melkiyas Diriba Muleta He received his BSc in Chemical Engineering from Haramaya University and MSc in Chemical Engineering (CPPD) from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Currently, he is working as a Lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Haramaya Institute of Technology, and Haramaya University, Ethiopia.

R. Ramesh

R. Ramesh He received his Ph.D in chemical engineering (Hydrocarbons & Modeling) from University Malaysia Pahang, Pahang, Malaysia in 2017. His areas of technical expertise and research interest are Renewable energy systems, Energy, Hydrocarbons, Nonlinear Modeling, Nanomaterials and C.F.D. He is working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mechanical, Chemical and Material Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia.

Hunegnaw Baylie Mengstie

Hunegnaw Baylie Mengstie did his BSc in Chemical Engineering from Adama Science and Technology University and MSc in Environmental Engg from Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Currently, he is working as a Lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mechanical, Chemical and Material Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia.

Adhigan Murali

Adhigan Murali He received his M.Tech in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (University of Madras) and Ph.D. degree in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology-Polymer Science from CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (University of Madras), India. After working as Assistant Professor at Addis Ababa Science & Technology University, Ethiopia (2018-2019), he joined as DST-INSPIRE Faculty at the School for Advanced Research in Polymers (SARP)-ARSTPS, Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Chennai, India. During his tenure, He is working as a Postdoctoral fellow at Sejong University, South Korea. His current research interest is solid polymer electrolytes for all solid-state lithium-ion battery applications.

Reddy Prasad D.M.

Reddy Prasad D. M. He obtained his Ph.D in chemical engineering from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia in 2006. He is an IChemE-Charted Engineer (UK). His areas of technical expertise and research interest are Engineering education, Renewable energy systems, Environmental engineering, and the Separation process. He is working as an Associate Professor, Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Programme, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Brunei.