Catalyst Reuse in Biodiesel Production using Waste Cooking Oil for Energy Sustainability

Abstract

The most important results of these studies demonstrate Amberlite 62i's effectiveness in making energy processes more sustainable. It is traditionally used for water treatment, but also exhibits significant catalytic activity in biodiesel production, making it a versatile material for achieving energy sustainability. This dual-use approach reduces the need for additional catalysts and lowers the overall environmental footprint of biodiesel production, enhancing resource efficiency. The transesterification reaction was carried out between WCO and methanol at molar ratio of 6:1, using Amberlite 62i as the catalyst at loading of 10 wt%. Reactions were conducted at various temperatures (50, 55, 60, and 65 ^OC) and stirring speeds (100, 200, 300, and 400 rpm) using magnetic stirrer for 120 minutes. Catalyst reusability was assessed based on the condition that yielded the highest conversion, and the catalyst was reused for four consecutive cycles. The highest conversion of 84% was achieved at 300 rpm and 65 ^OC. Notably, the catalyst demonstrated consistent performance in four cycles, resulting in biodiesel conversion rates above 63% without the need for further treatment.