Patricia Nneka Onwuachi-Iheagwara

Scopus Publications

Bio-adsorbent of Jatropha curcus oil in sugar cane bagasse ash for the synthesis of biodiesel catalyzed by calcined Sartaj maize stalk powder (CSMSP)
P.N. Onwuachi-Iheagwara, J.I. Kperegbeyi, U. Ekanem, R. Nwadiolu, G.I. Okolotu, T.A. Balogun, T.F. Adepoju, J.S. Oboreh
Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 2024
Previous studies revealed that the used of acid (HCl/H2SO4) have widely used to reduce Jatropha curcus oil (JCO) acid value for an effective biodiesel production. However, the use of acid is difficult to handle, increase the cost of biodiesel production, and can be time consuming. Furthermore, calcined stalk powder have been reportedly used as bio-base catalyst for the synthesis of biodiesel, but no single report ever identified the varieties of the maize stalk used. Therefore, this study introduced a novel pathway to examine the adsorption of high-free fatty acid JCO in sugar cane bagasse as a bio-adsorbent for the production of biodiesel (JCOB). Oil was extracted from the Jatropha curcus seed, and its properties were determined. A new novel catalyst was developed from a new variety of calcined Sartaj maize stalk powder and was characterized by utilizing Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF-FS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Zeta potential (ZETA), and Brunauer-emmett-teller (BET) analyzers. A single-step transesterification procedure was used to convert the oil to biodiesel. Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Networks were used for modeling and optimizing the transesterification process. The base-strength of the catalyst was ascertained using a catalyst reusability test, and the characteristics of the biodiesel produced were assessed using conventional (standards) techniques. The results indicate that higher temperatures caused breaks in the oil's double bond during the extraction process, thereby raising the JCO free fatty acid (FFA) value (13.2 %). However, sugar cane bagasse, a bio-adsorbent with the smallest particle size (210 μm), was found to be effective in lowering the FFA of JCO from 13.20 % to 0.38 %. Catalyst analysis indicated K2O (38.30 % wt.), Cl (16.41 % wt.), CaO (13.01 % wt.), SiO2 (10.99 % wt.), P2O5 (4.30 % wt.), and MgO (3.69 % wt.) concentration by weight were the main components detected in the catalyst, according to catalyst characterization and analysis. The highest verified output (optimum validated yield) was at 3.10 % (wt.) catalyst concentration, a reaction time of 74.60 min, a 56.20 °C reaction temperature, and a methanol-oil molar ratio of 7.80 (vol/vol). The optimum validated biodiesel yield of 99.42 % (wt./wt.) was determined. After five rounds of the catalyst reusability test, the yield of biodiesel decreased, hence the reusability test was altered. The research concluded that sugar cane bagasse is a new novel material for an effective bio-adsorbent high-FFA oil of JCO, and that the novel catalyst developed can be utilized as a nano-catalyst in CPIs (chemical processing industries).
Synthesis of biofuel from Luffas cylindrical-Dennettia tripetala oil blend (BT40) using catalytic sweet corn stock acidified with iron (III) sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3)
F.C. Ozioko, P.N. Onwuachi-Iheagwara, A. Cyril, K. Mabel, R. Nwadiolu, J.C. Oboreh, T.F. Adepoju, J.S. Oboreh
South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2024
In an attempt to model and optimize the biodiesel production from the binary oil blends, a BTO40 obtained from the mixture of Dennettia tripetala (DTO) and Luffas cylindrical (LCO) oilseeds was employed in a double-stage microwave-assisted batch process (DSMABP). The DTO40 was esterified with iron (III) sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3) and then transesterified with catalyst selectivity between calcined fermented sweet corn stock (CFCS) and calcined non-fermented sweet corn stock (CNFCS). Catalyst characterization was carried out using analyzers, while process modeling and optimization were carried out using statistical tools. The produced biodiesel qualities were evaluated, and the catalyst potential was tested by a catalyst reusability test. Results show that a BTO40 was suitable for maximum biodiesel yield of 98.92% (wt./wt.) with HHV of 43.84 MJ/kg, CN of 79.73, flash point of 120 °C, cloud point of -3 °C, pour point of -6 °C, cold filter plugging point of +2 °C, oxidative stability of 4.6 h, and carbon residue of 0.02% nm. The statistical modeling and optimization by RSMI-Optimal predicted a mean value of biodiesel to be 99.28% (wt./wt.), the ANNGA predicted a mean biodiesel yield of 99.78% (wt./wt.), and γGCFW predicted 99.82% (wt./wt.), respectively, at different variable conditions. These values were validated in triplicate, and the average means were obtained as 98.57% (wt./wt.), 99.69% (wt./wt.), and 99.71% (wt./wt.), respectively. Catalyst usability tests show DFSCS has high alkali potential as a base catalyst. The produced biodiesel properties are in total agreement with the recommended biodiesel standard. The study concluded that BTO40 treated with a 0.1 M Fe2(SO4)3 solution in a base-catalyzed calcined fermented sweet corn stock for biodiesel synthesis can be used as an alternative fuel.