Environment, Development and Sustainability

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02761-1

RSM‑based comparative experimental study of sustainable

biodiesel synthesis from different 2G feedstocks using
magnetic nanocatalyst ­CaFe2O4

A. Saravanan1 · Ajith J. Kings2 · L. R. Monisha Miriam3 · R. S. Rimal Isaac4

Received: 9 April 2022 / Accepted: 3 November 2022

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2022

Abstract
Today’s demand of energy in the world of automobile provokes the researchers to strive
for the easily available and cheapest renewable source of energy. Biodiesel has become one
of the booming renewable sources in the world to mitigate the atmospheric pollution and
the demand of fossil fuels. Oils are chosen based on their fatty acid content, availability
and sustainability. A magnetic nanocatalyst ­CaFe2O4 has been employed in the transes-
terification process and is characterized by various progressive techniques to confirm its
compatibility. The locally available, nonedible oils such as cotton seed oil, rubber seed oil
and pungai seed oil have been taken for this experimental work for efficient and sustain-
able biodiesel production. Multi-variant central composite design has been employed to
enhance the influencing process parameters in biodiesel conversion. Each feedstock pro-
duced more than 95% of the yield which consumed very little amount of methanol and cat-
alyst in a short period of time. In order to ensure a quick reaction and smooth stirring, the
temperature is kept at 70 °C (beyond the boiling point of the solvent). The chromatography
analysis was used to describe the end product samples which revealed the right proportion
of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids at the proper level, resulting in better oxidation sta-
bility and combustion properties. Moreover, density, viscosity, cetene number, iodine value
and other essential properties were analysed and found to be within the standards specified
by EN and ASTM for use in automotive applications without modifying the engine.

Keywords  Nonedible oils · Biodiesel · Magnetic nanocatalyst · Optimization ·

Transesterification

* Ajith J. Kings
ajtthjkings@gmail.com
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ponjesly College of Engineering, Nagercoil 629003, India
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Xavier’s Catholic College of Engineering,
Nagercoil 629003, India
3
Department of Biotechnology, Udaya School of Engineering, Vellamodi 629204, India
4
Department of Nanotechnology, Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, Kumaracoil 629180,
India

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