Utilization of tobacco plant parts for synthesis of biofuels
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Date
2023
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UMT, Lhr
Abstract
Green fuels are emerging topic of research in current era due to environmental concerns (SDG7). The study was focused on the utilization of tobacco plant parts for synthesis of biofuels. Biofuels were synthesized through fermentation and catalytic cracking process. Significance of this research lies in the fact that the cost-effective catalyst and widely available feedstock was used. The feedstock was tobacco leaves, stalk and seed oil. Bioethanol was synthesized from pretreated tobacco leaves and stalk via fermentation using baker’s yeast under specific conditions. The yield of bioethanol from alkaline (CaO) pretreated tobacco leaves was 62.2% while the yield of bioethanol from hydrothermal pretreated tobacco stalk was 59.7%. The yield of bioethanol from acid catalyzed pretreatment method was very low so it was not carried out further. Biofuel was synthesized from catalytic cracking of 100ml tobacco seed oil using 1g V2O5 catalyst and 0.5 Al2O3 as a support material at 320°C for 45 minutes. Fuel properties (flash point, viscosity, density, and cloud point) were analyzed. Flash point and cloud point of bioethanol produced from alkaline pretreated tobacco leaves was 17.2°C and 19.3°C. GC-MS analysis of bioethanol predicts 11 major compounds along with ethanol in major concentration. And GC-MS analysis of bio-oil predicts 25 major compounds in it. Results suggested that alkaline pretreated tobacco leaves give high yield of bioethanol compare to hydrothermal pretreated tobacco stalk. And V2O5 catalyst has great capacity for the conversion of oil into biofuel. The yield of pyrolyzed oil was 1.1%. Hence, this research supports the recycling of biomass for the production of biofuels.