Biofuel conversion through heterogeneous solid catalysts and carbon nanotubes by biological waste material with sheep fat oil

Heterogeneous solid catalysts have been largely developed for biodiesel production, because of their strong hydrothermal stability, attractive acid-base properties, and efficient recovery/reusability. Hence, the catalyst from biological waste was an effective choice because of its lower emissions, and cost-effective method than other catalysts preparations. In this study, the biofuel was prepared by using sheep fat oil using different biological waste catalysts under various operating conditions. The catalyst was prepared by microalgae ash, and waste fruit waste ash through a pyrolysis reactor at 250 °C for 30 min. Furthermore, the CNT nanoparticles integrated with the catalyst during transesterification to enhance the biofuel conversion efficiency. The conversion process was performed under operating conditions of various catalyst loading (5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt%), various oil: methanol ratios (1:4, 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10), and reaction times of about (60 min, 120 min, 180 min, and 240 min). Based on the experimental results, the following conclusions were drawn. The resulting, peak operating conditions such as catalyst loading of 15 wt%, oil: methanol ratios of 1:6, and reaction time of 240 min recorded a higher biofuel conversion than other conditions. Furthermore, the CNT nanoparticle integration within catalysts for both MAC and WFA is about 59.8%, 63.5%, 62.3%, and 61.6%, 60.2%, and 58.7% at a condition of higher Catalyst loading (15 wt%), Oil: methanol molar ratio (1:4), and reaction time (240 min).