Production of High Calorific Biodiesel from Oats Lipid Using Cu–ZnO–Al2O3 Catalyst

Expired, non-edible forms of oats which are considered as trash have the potential to enable biodiesel production at larger scale without competing for any requirements. The process of producing biodiesel has been examined step-by-step, begining with the conversion of oat lipids to FAME. Using DME in a batch reactor, the SCE (super critical carbon dioxide extraction) method was used to extract lipids from oats. The fatty acid profile shows the abundance of C18 compounds from lipid extraction. Catalyst used for the biodiesel production was ZnO–Al₂O₃; in which varied loadings of copper was carried out. Utilizing XRD, FTIR, N₂ sorption, TPD, and SEM examination, the catalyst was characterized. A catalyst with an alcohol ratio of 2:10, a flow rate of 4 ml per hour, 300 mg of oats, and 15% of copper-loaded catalyst was found to be the most effective combination for converting lipids into biodiesel while also exhibiting high selectivity and yield. GCMS spectrum indicates the abundance of C18 fractions at 22.34 min with peak area of 53.69%. The kinetic study such as Arrhenius plot for pure biodiesel and biodiesel blend shows that pure biodiesel at constant temperature shows rate maximum. Engine analysis characteristics such as brake power, torque, BTE, CO, and NO emission data demonstrated the performance of pure biodiesel that was obtained in good yield from oat lipid.

Graphical Abstract