Catalytic aspect of biomass in microcontroller-assisted esterification

ABSTRACT

This research work pertains to the synthesis of carbon catalyst from abundantly available agro-waste, cajanus cajan husk (CCH) by chemical activation process using10 M H₂SO₄ at 500°C.Characterization of sulfonated carbon catalyst was accomplished through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmet Teller (BET). The resultant catalyst exhibited excellent porosity and high surface area. In addition to the catalyst synthesis, the research work was accompanied with the application of microcontroller-based automated reactor (MBAR) for the enhancement of esterification of acetic acid with n-butanol. The effect of temperatures at 90, 95, and 100°C as well as catalyst loading at 1.36, 2.69, 4% (w/w) on the conversion of acetic acid was studied using synthesized catalyst and MBAR. The rationale behind introducing MBAR was to remove the water generated in esterification continuously by absorbing into silica gel. Silica gel comprised of two limbs operating in rotation in such a way that when one silica bed is in operation, simultaneously, the other is regenerating. The study revealed that the rate of water removal increased initially; but after 50% conversion, the rate declined. Conversion of acetic acid up to 90% has been reported by using newly invented apparatus. The analysis of uncertainty was performed for conversion % of acetic acid at various operating conditions at 95% confidence level. MBAR can be scaled up to the food processing-based industrial unit so that individual can start business and receive a consistent income. Pyrolysis product of CCH, in this case being catalyst, can be used not only for the synthesis of ester along a pathway of energy recovery but also for the development of many industrially useful products like adsorbent for wastewater treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Esterification
• reuse
• biomass
• microcontroller
• productivity
• pyrolysis

Nomenclatures

Cs	=	Specific heat of silica (J/kg°C)
Ca	=	Specific heat of water (J/kg°C)
Tg2	=	Initial temperature of air (°C)
Tg1	=	Outlet temperature of air (°C)
$G_s$	=	Air flow rate (kg/h)
$Q_W$	=	Water entering in silica (ml)
$W_s$	=	Weight of silica (g)
$W_t$	=	Total weight (g)
M %	=	Moisture %
AV	=	Analogue value (mA)
Ssw	=	Weight of saturated silica (g)
${\lambda }_a$	=	Latent heat of air (J/kg)
$Y_1$	=	Absolute humidity of outlet air $\frac{kgofwater}{kgofdryair}$
$Y_2$	=	Absolute humidity of available air $\frac{kgofwater}{kgofdrysilica}$
$q_s$	=	Moisture flow rate (kg/h)
$H{s}_2$	=	Final enthalpy of silica (J/kg dry silica)
$H{s}_1$	=	Initial enthalpy of silica (J/kg dry silica)
$H{g}_2$	=	Enthalpy of inlet air (J/kg dry air)
$H{g}_1$	=	Enthalpy of outlet air (J/kg dry air)
$X_2$	=	Final moisture of water/kg of dry solid
$X_1$	=	Initial moisture, kg of water/kg of dry solid
$S{t}_f$	=	Final temperature of silica (°C)
$S{t}_i$	=	Initial Temperature of silica (°C)
$S{m}_i$	=	Initial moisture of silica (%)
$S{m}_f$	=	Final moisture of silica (%)
$T_0$	=	Reference temperature (°C)
SV	=	Solenoid valve
SB	=	Silica gel bed
MS	=	Moisture sensor
TS	=	Temperature sensor

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amol A. Bhusari

Mr. Amol A. Bhusari is a research scholar of National Institute of Technology, Raipur, India. and his research interest is in waste and biomass management, catalysis.

Bidyut Mazumdar

Dr. Bidyut Mazumdar is Associate Professor in National Institute of Technology, Raipur India. His research area is biotechnology, waste water treatment, catalysis.

Ajit P. Rathod

Dr. Ajit P. Rathod is expert in membrane separation, reactive extraction, catalysis, instrumentation and process control.

Deepali Marghade

Dr. Deepali Marghade is  professor in PIET Nagpur, India and she is expert in instrumental techniques for material characterization.