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© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
K. K. Pant et al. (eds.), Catalysis for Clean Energy and Environmental
Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65017-9_7
Catalytic and Non-Catalytic Methods
for Biodiesel Production
Zakir Hussain, Mohd Belal Haider, Mata Mani Tripathi, and Rakesh Kumar
Abstract In this chapter, the technical difficulties of conventional base-catalyzed
transesterification and conventional esterification process using concentrated sulfuric acid in a homogeneous form have been discussed in detail. The use of lowquality feedstocks like waste vegetable oils and non-edible oils for biodiesel
production has been explored. To address the mass transfer limitations in the conventional transesterification process, the addition of a phase transfer catalyst such as
tetramethylammonium bromide (TMAB) has been investigated. Thereafter, the
esterification of Karanja oil with high free fatty acid content through a non-catalytic
method has been discussed. Kinetic modeling of the non-catalytic esterification
along with process simulation in Aspen Plus was performed. Finally, the potential
application of corncob-derived solid acid catalyst (SAC) for the esterification of
oleic acid to produce biodiesel has been discussed.
Keywords Biodiesel · Waste vegetable oils · Solid acid catalyst
1 Introduction
Renewable energy is the energy supply that may be without difficulty replenished
like biomass from plants, solar energy from the sun, hydropower from flowing
water, geothermal energy from the heat inside the earth, and wind energy from flowing air [1, 2]. Nonrenewable energy is the energy supply whose sources like fossil
fuels (natural gas, coal, hydrocarbon gas liquids, and petroleum products) and
nuclear fuels cannot be replenished easily. Fossil fuels are the primary source of
energy around the world. Energy plays a pivotal role in our survival, and there are
many efforts around the world toward conserving energy by using less of an energy
service. Energy consumption is increasing day by day resulting in more demand for
Z. Hussain
Department of Chemical Technology, Loyola Academy, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
M. B. Haider · M. M. Tripathi · R. Kumar (*)
Department of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of
Petroleum Technology, Jais, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, India
e-mail: rkumar@rgipt.ac.in
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
K. K. Pant et al. (eds.), Catalysis for Clean Energy and Environmental
Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65017-9_7
Catalytic and Non-Catalytic Methods
for Biodiesel Production
Zakir Hussain, Mohd Belal Haider, Mata Mani Tripathi, and Rakesh Kumar
Abstract In this chapter, the technical difficulties of conventional base-catalyzed
transesterification and conventional esterification process using concentrated sulfuric acid in a homogeneous form have been discussed in detail. The use of lowquality feedstocks like waste vegetable oils and non-edible oils for biodiesel
production has been explored. To address the mass transfer limitations in the conventional transesterification process, the addition of a phase transfer catalyst such as
tetramethylammonium bromide (TMAB) has been investigated. Thereafter, the
esterification of Karanja oil with high free fatty acid content through a non-catalytic
method has been discussed. Kinetic modeling of the non-catalytic esterification
along with process simulation in Aspen Plus was performed. Finally, the potential
application of corncob-derived solid acid catalyst (SAC) for the esterification of
oleic acid to produce biodiesel has been discussed.
Keywords Biodiesel · Waste vegetable oils · Solid acid catalyst
1 Introduction
Renewable energy is the energy supply that may be without difficulty replenished
like biomass from plants, solar energy from the sun, hydropower from flowing
water, geothermal energy from the heat inside the earth, and wind energy from flowing air [1, 2]. Nonrenewable energy is the energy supply whose sources like fossil
fuels (natural gas, coal, hydrocarbon gas liquids, and petroleum products) and
nuclear fuels cannot be replenished easily. Fossil fuels are the primary source of
energy around the world. Energy plays a pivotal role in our survival, and there are
many efforts around the world toward conserving energy by using less of an energy
service. Energy consumption is increasing day by day resulting in more demand for
Z. Hussain
Department of Chemical Technology, Loyola Academy, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
M. B. Haider · M. M. Tripathi · R. Kumar (*)
Department of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of
Petroleum Technology, Jais, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, India
e-mail: rkumar@rgipt.ac.in