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Heterogeneous Calcium Oxide Catalytic Filaments for Three-Dimensional Printing: Preparation, Characterization, and
Kritsakon Pongraktham1, Krit Somnuk1
1Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
ACS Omega
|July 1, 2024
Summary
This study developed novel 3D-printable catalytic filaments using calcium oxide (CaO) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic for efficient biodiesel production. These filaments offer improved mechanical properties and reusability in transesterification processes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Developing efficient and reusable catalysts is crucial for sustainable biodiesel production.
- Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers innovative methods for reactor fabrication.
- Heterogeneous catalysts can simplify separation and improve reusability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using calcium oxide (CaO) as a heterogeneous catalyst blended into acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic for 3D printing.
- To characterize the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the developed catalytic filaments.
- To evaluate the catalytic performance and reusability of these filaments in biodiesel production via transesterification.
Main Methods:
- CaO catalysts were blended with ABS plastic to create catalytic filaments using a single-screw extruder.
- Filaments were characterized for mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties.
- Transesterification of pretreated sludge palm oil was performed using the catalytic filaments to produce methyl ester (biodiesel).
- Process parameters were optimized to maximize methyl ester purity and biodiesel yield.
- Reusability of the catalytic filaments was assessed over multiple reaction cycles.
Main Results:
- A maximum CaO content of 15 wt % in ABS was recommended, enhancing filament hardness and compressive strength.
- Optimized conditions yielded 96.58 wt % methyl ester purity and 79.7 wt % biodiesel yield.
- Catalytic filaments demonstrated good reusability, with methyl ester purity remaining at 95.0 wt % after four cycles.
Conclusions:
- 3D-printable CaO/ABS catalytic filaments are a viable material for biodiesel production.
- This approach offers a novel pathway for fabricating 3D-printed biodiesel reactors.
- The developed filaments present improved mechanical properties and catalytic efficiency with good reusability.
