Malaysian researchers develop algae biodiesel using nanocatalysts

In Malaysia, researchers from the Universiti Putra Malaysia have developed a methodology to produce biodiesel from algae using nanocatalysts and synthesized through a calcination–hydration–dehydration technique. The nano-CaO catalysis impact was investigated in a two-step transesterification of triglycerides from crude Jatropha oil as a biodiesel along with other reaction parameters such as catalyst ratio, reaction time, and methanol to oil ratio. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller spectrographic techniques were utilized to evaluate the CaO nanocatalyst spectral and structural characteristics. The effect of the transesterification parameters on reaction kinetics and Jatropha biodiesel (JB) yield were analyzed by employing a three-factor-five-level response surface methodology model based on a full factorial, two-block, central composite design. An average of 95.8% JB yield was obtained from the catalyst reusability up to the sixth cycle. Fuel property test results of JB were found to be highly commensurate with the biodiesel standard EN 14214.