PRODUCTION OF BIOFUEL FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTE USING A NOVEL NANO-CATALYST SYNTHESIZED FROM NATURAL BIOMASS

ABSTRACT
The increasing depletion of fossil fuel resources and the environmental impacts associated with conventional
fuels have accelerated the search for sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the production of
biodiesel from industrial waste-derived tallow using a novel KF/Al2
O3
heterogeneous nano-catalyst synthesized
through impregnation, calcination, and particle size reduction techniques. The catalyst was characterized using
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and particle size analysis. Biodiesel
production was carried out through ultrasonic-assisted transesterification, and the effects of methanol-to-oil
molar ratio, reaction temperature, catalyst loading, and reaction time were optimized. Maximum biodiesel yield
of 98.2 wt.% was achieved at a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 15:1, catalyst loading of 6 wt.%, reaction
temperature of 60°C, and reaction time of 180 min. The produced biodiesel satisfied ASTM D6751 fuel quality
requirements and demonstrated excellent fuel characteristics. The catalyst maintained significant activity over
multiple reuse cycles, indicating its economic viability for large-scale biodiesel production.