IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v15y2022i23p8856-d982095.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Purification of Residual Glycerol from Biodiesel Production as a Value-Added Raw Material for Glycerolysis of Free Fatty Acids in Waste Cooking Oil

Author

Listed:
  • K. A. Viraj Miyuranga

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Pitipana 10206, Sri Lanka)

  • Udara S. P. R. Arachchige

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Pitipana 10206, Sri Lanka)

  • Randika A. Jayasinghe

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Pitipana 10206, Sri Lanka)

  • Gamunu Samarakoon

    (Department of Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3918 Porsgrunn, Norway)

Abstract

The crude glycerol produced as a byproduct of transesterification synthesis has very few applications because it comprises of significant amounts of methanol, catalyst, and soap. On the other hand, transesterifications of highly acidic oil in the presence of an alkaline catalyst are problematic due to the presence of high amounts of free fatty acids. In this study, the free fatty acid level of high acid oil, which was initially determined to be 19.25%, was decreased to permit the direct production of biodiesel via glycerolysis with pure glycerol, making direct transesterification feasible. Through a process of purification, crude glycerol was refined to 92.5% purity. It was revealed that the physiochemical parameters of density, moisture content, ash content, matter organic non-glycerol content, pH, and Na/K concentrations of generated purified glycerol are equal to those of commercially available glycerol. In contrast, glycerolysis treatment successfully decreased the free fatty acid level to less than 2% under optimal conditions, which were determined to be 200 °C, a glycerol-to-oil molar ratio of 4:1, and a KOH catalyst concentration of 1.6 wt.% at 350 rpm. The inclusion of hexane as a co-solvent accelerated the glycerolysis process, and the weight ratio of oil-to-hexane was 8:1. Moreover, it was viable to use waste methanol for biodiesel synthesis and purified crude glycerol as a raw material in a variety of industries, including biodiesel production. In addition, compared to acid esterification, the FFA concentration of oil with a high acid value fell significantly.

Suggested Citation

  • K. A. Viraj Miyuranga & Udara S. P. R. Arachchige & Randika A. Jayasinghe & Gamunu Samarakoon, 2022. "Purification of Residual Glycerol from Biodiesel Production as a Value-Added Raw Material for Glycerolysis of Free Fatty Acids in Waste Cooking Oil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-20, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:23:p:8856-:d:982095
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/23/8856/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/23/8856/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tamás Mizik & Gábor Gyarmati, 2021. "Economic and Sustainability of Biodiesel Production—A Systematic Literature Review," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Abel Rodrigues & João Carlos Bordado & Rui Galhano dos Santos, 2017. "Upgrading the Glycerol from Biodiesel Production as a Source of Energy Carriers and Chemicals—A Technological Review for Three Chemical Pathways," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-36, November.
    3. Matheus Oliveira & Ana Ramos & Eliseu Monteiro & Abel Rouboa, 2022. "Improvement of the Crude Glycerol Purification Process Derived from Biodiesel Production Waste Sources through Computational Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Tamás Mizik, 2021. "Economic Aspects and Sustainability of Ethanol Production—A Systematic Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    5. Oyetola Ogunkunle & Noor A. Ahmed, 2021. "Overview of Biodiesel Combustion in Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Engine Emissions on the Sustainable Human–Environment Scenario," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-28, May.
    6. Ayoub, Muhammad & Abdullah, Ahmad Zuhairi, 2012. "Critical review on the current scenario and significance of crude glycerol resulting from biodiesel industry towards more sustainable renewable energy industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 2671-2686.
    7. Singhabhandhu, Ampaitepin & Tezuka, Tetsuo, 2010. "A perspective on incorporation of glycerin purification process in biodiesel plants using waste cooking oil as feedstock," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 2493-2504.
    8. Leoneti, Alexandre Bevilacqua & Aragão-Leoneti, Valquiria & de Oliveira, Sonia Valle Walter Borges, 2012. "Glycerol as a by-product of biodiesel production in Brazil: Alternatives for the use of unrefined glycerol," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 138-145.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ardi, M.S. & Aroua, M.K. & Hashim, N. Awanis, 2015. "Progress, prospect and challenges in glycerol purification process: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1164-1173.
    2. He, Quan (Sophia) & McNutt, Josiah & Yang, Jie, 2017. "Utilization of the residual glycerol from biodiesel production for renewable energy generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 63-76.
    3. Okoye, P.U. & Hameed, B.H., 2016. "Review on recent progress in catalytic carboxylation and acetylation of glycerol as a byproduct of biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 558-574.
    4. Kong, Pei San & Aroua, Mohamed Kheireddine & Daud, Wan Mohd Ashri Wan, 2016. "Conversion of crude and pure glycerol into derivatives: A feasibility evaluation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 533-555.
    5. Silva, Wellington Costa & Castro, Maria Priscila Pessanha & Perez, Victor Haber & Machado, Francisco A. & Mota, Leonardo & Sthel, Marcelo Silva, 2016. "Thermal degradation of ethanolic biodiesel: Physicochemical and thermal properties evaluation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1093-1099.
    6. Jia, Guangxin & He, Beibei & Ma, Wenlin & Sun, Yifan, 2019. "Thermodynamic analysis based on simultaneous chemical and phase equilibrium for dehydration of glycerol with methanol," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    7. Hejna, Aleksander & Kosmela, Paulina & Formela, Krzysztof & Piszczyk, Łukasz & Haponiuk, Józef T., 2016. "Potential applications of crude glycerol in polymer technology–Current state and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 449-475.
    8. Muhammad Harussani Moklis & Shou Cheng & Jeffrey S. Cross, 2023. "Current and Future Trends for Crude Glycerol Upgrading to High Value-Added Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-30, February.
    9. Talebian-Kiakalaieh, Amin & Amin, Nor Aishah Saidina & Hezaveh, Hadi, 2014. "Glycerol for renewable acrolein production by catalytic dehydration," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 28-59.
    10. Cansino, JM & Cardenete, MA & González-Limón, JM & Román, R, 2013. "Economic impacts of biofuels deployment in Andalusia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 274-282.
    11. Dey, Subhashish & Sreenivasulu, Anduri & Veerendra, G.T.N. & Rao, K. Venkateswara & Babu, P.S.S. Anjaneya, 2022. "Renewable energy present status and future potentials in India: An overview," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 1(1).
    12. Erna Astuti & Supranto Supranto & Rochmadi Rochmadi & Agus Prasetya & Krister Strom & Bengt Andersson, 2014. "Kinetic Modeling of Nitration of Glycerol," Modern Applied Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(2), pages 1-78, April.
    13. Sittijunda, Sureewan & Reungsang, Alissara, 2020. "Valorization of crude glycerol into hydrogen, 1,3-propanediol, and ethanol in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor under thermophilic conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 361-372.
    14. Cadavez, Carina Crisp & de Souza-Santos, Marcio L., 2021. "Efficiency of a power generation alternative regarding the composition of feeding biomass-glycerol slurry; theoretical assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    15. Leandro C. de Morais & Amanda A. Maia & Pedro R. Resende & André H. Rosa & Leonel J. R. Nunes, 2022. "Thermochemical Conversion of Sugarcane Bagasse: A Comprehensive Analysis of Ignition and Burnout Temperatures," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-11, November.
    16. Da Seul Kong & Eun Joo Park & Sakuntala Mutyala & Minsoo Kim & Yunchul Cho & Sang Eun Oh & Changman Kim & Jung Rae Kim, 2021. "Bioconversion of Crude Glycerol into 1,3-Propanediol(1,3-PDO) with Bioelectrochemical System and Zero-Valent Iron Using Klebsiella pneumoniae L17," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-10, October.
    17. Talal Yusaf & Mohd Kamal Kamarulzaman & Abdullah Adam & Sakinah Hisham & Devarajan Ramasamy & Kumaran Kadirgama & Mahendran Samykano & Sivaraos Subramaniam, 2022. "Physical-Chemical Properties Modification of Hermetia Illucens Larvae Oil and Diesel Fuel for the Internal Combustion Engines Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-17, October.
    18. Cédric Decarpigny & Abdulhadi Aljawish & Cédric His & Bertrand Fertin & Muriel Bigan & Pascal Dhulster & Michel Millares & Rénato Froidevaux, 2022. "Bioprocesses for the Biodiesel Production from Waste Oils and Valorization of Glycerol," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-30, May.
    19. Gurunathan Manikandan & P. Rajesh Kanna & Dawid Taler & Tomasz Sobota, 2023. "Review of Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) as a Feedstock for Biofuel—Indian Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-17, February.
    20. Saifuddin Nomanbhay & Mei Yin Ong & Kit Wayne Chew & Pau-Loke Show & Man Kee Lam & Wei-Hsin Chen, 2020. "Organic Carbonate Production Utilizing Crude Glycerol Derived as By-Product of Biodiesel Production: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:23:p:8856-:d:982095. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.