Optimization of biodiesel production from Spirulina microalgae via nanocatalytic transesterification process

This article explores the synthesis of biodiesel from microalgae since it does not compromise food security. In this study, a highly active calcium methoxide Ca(OCH3)2 nanocatalyst with diameter and surface area of 50 nm and 27.06 m2/g, respectively was synthesized from wet impregnation technique and exploited in transesterification process to produce biodiesel from Spirulina microalgae. Thermo-gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurement were utilized to evaluate the Ca(OCH3)2 characteristics and results demonstrates that Ca (OCH3)2 possesses a better catalytic property than CaO. The effect of transesterification parameters on biodiesel yield were analyzed by employing a central composite design based response surface methodology. The adequacy of predicted model was verified, and a 99 % FAME yield was reported at optimal conditions of 3 h,3 wt% catalyst loading, 80 degrees C temperature, and 30:1 methanol/oil molar ratio. The nanocatalyst sustained its activity up to fifth cycle without significant deactivation.