Environmental remediation at vegetable marketplaces through production of biowaste catalysts for biofuel generation

Sci Rep. 2023 Mar 28;13(1):5067. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-31687-5.

Abstract

Large quantities of vegetable biowaste are generated at marketplaces, usually in highly populated locations. On the other hand, nearby markets, hotels, and street shops generate much cooking oil waste and dispose of them in the sewage. Environmental remediation is mandatory at these places. Hence, this experimental work concentrated on preparing biodiesel using green plant wastes and cooking oil. Biowaste catalysts were produced from vegetable wastes and biofuel generated from waste cooking oil using biowaste catalysts to support diesel demand and Environmental remediation. Other organic plant wastes such as bagasse, papaya stem, banana peduncle and moringa oleifera are used as heterogeneous catalysts of this research work. Initially, the plant wastes are independently considered for the catalyst for biodiesel production; secondary, all plant wastes are mixed to form a single catalyst and used to prepare the biodiesel. In the maximum biodiesel yield analysis, the calcination temperature, reaction temperature, methanol/oil ratio, catalyst loading and mixing speed were considered to control the biodiesel production. The results reveal that the catalyst loading of 4.5 wt% with mixed plant waste catalyst offered a maximum biodiesel yield of 95%.

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels
  • Catalysis
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
  • Esterification
  • Plant Oils
  • Vegetables*

Substances

  • Plant Oils
  • Biofuels