Kinetic study of transesterification of castor oil using mn doped zno nano-particles
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Date
2019
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UMT, Lhr
Abstract
A paradigm shift from ongoing industrial development to environmental friendly resources have been observed in scientific researchers from last two decades due to rapid increase in average temperature of the earth called global warming. A threat of extinction of natural fuel resources is another scaring issue in the line of human development. The alarming situation of the environmental changes increased the apprehension of the scientist to phase out traditional energy recourses and move on environmental friendly biofuels. In this study, a non-edible castor oil was transeterified by methanol in the presence of Mn doped ZnO nanocatalyst. Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst was prepared by sono-chemical method. XRD was consulted to get information abouit the crystal lattices, EDX was performed to find out purity of nanocatalyst produced while TEM was used to investigate morphology of the crystals and the average size of the nanoparticles produced. Transesterification reaction was studied in different conditions of temperature, methyl alcohol to castor oil ratio, amount of catalyst to get optimim conditions at maximum yield of biodiesel produced. Maximum yield (90.3%) of biodiesel was observed at 55 , oil to methanol ratio 1: 12 while the amount of nanocatalyst taken was 1.2gm by weight.1st order kinetic model was found most suitable, keeping in view the applied reaction conditions. The kinetic model was extended to calculate rate constant, activation energy, enthalpy of the reaction, entropy and Gibb’s free energy. The thermodynamical factors revealed that transesterification reaction was endothermic and need constant heat energy while converting the reactants into product.