(2017) Energy Conversion and Management_Sustainable approach to biodiesel synthesis via thermally induced transesterification using biochar as surrogate porous media

Lee J., Jung J.-M., Ok Y.S., Kwon E.E.

(Elsevier Ltd) Energy Conversion and Management ISSN: 1968904 Vol.151 Issue. Article No. DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2017.09.024

This study validates whether maize residue biochar could be used as surrogate porous media for thermally induced transesterification of waste cooking oil. The highest yield of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) reached up to 91% at 300 °C with the biochar while it reached at 380 °C with silica. This suggests that energy saving can be expected using biochar in the biodiesel production process. Larger pore size and wider pore distribution of the biochar likely provides favorable conditions for the high biodiesel yield at lower temperature than silica. Based on similar FAME yields between refined soybean oil and waste cooking oil, the thermally induced transesterification with the biochar exhibited an extraordinary tolerance against impurities in waste cooking oil. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Grant funded by the Korean Government (Ministry of Education) (No. NRF-2016R1D1A1B03933027 ).