Evaluation of Chemical Metal Elements from Algae Biofuel Using Different Types of Catalysts and Nano-Catalyst

The study was carried out to investigate the chemical metal elements that existed in the algal biodiesel through transesterification bioprocess. The biodiesel conversion yield and the physical and chemical properties of the biodiesel produced were also investigated using GC-MS and multi-element oil analyzer. The highest biodiesel conversion yield of 99.1% was obtained in the mixture of catalyst and nano catalyst (NaOH +KOH + CaO nano catalyst) using 1:4 volumetric oil-to-methanol ratio, 1.0% of catalyst at 40°C reaction temperature and a stirring speed of 320 rpm. However, there was a significant difference in the viscosity and acid value of the biodiesel produced between a single catalyst and a mixture of catalysts. Moreover, the chemical metal elements (Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ag, Al, P, Pb, B, Cr, Mn, Sn, Mo, Si, Cr, Ba, Ni, Ti & V) were found lower in the mixture of nano catalyst and catalyst (NaOH +KOH +CaO nano catalyst) than the mixture of base catalyst (NaOH+ KOH) and single base catalyst (NaOH or KOH). Finally, it seemed that biodiesel obtained using the mixture of catalyst and nano catalyst had a lower chemical metal element value than the single catalyst, which was considered a better biodiesel yield.