Studies on production of biodiesel from Madhuca indica oil using a catalyst derived from cotton stalk

ABSTRACT

This study makes use of an acid catalyst prepared from cotton stalks by carbonization and sulphonation methods which is then characterized using different analytical methods. Furthermore, catalytic activity was studied by subjecting it to single step esterification and transesterification reactions of Madhuca indica oil with methanol. The different factors influencing the reaction process were identified and optimized. The optimum process conditions were found to be: 5 wt% of catalyst; 18:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil; temperature of 60°C; reaction time 5 h resulting in a yield of 89.2 wt% biodiesel. The catalyst was recycled and reused up to seven times without much loss in catalytic activity. The fuel properties of the synthesized biodiesel were determined and compared to the ASTM D 6751 standard.

KEYWORDS:

• Acid catalyst
• heterogeneous
• transesterification
• biodiesel
• characterization
• esterification

Declaration

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.