Antifouling polydopamine-modified poly (ether sulfone) membrane immobilized with alumina-calcium oxide catalyst for continuous biodiesel production

Abstract

Biodiesel is an alternative biofuel that can be blended with conventional petroleum-derived diesel fuel to partly reduce the dependence on the imported oil. Catalytic membrane reactors are promising candidates for sustainable biodiesel production. Herein, we report a novel catalytically active polydopamine-modified poly (ether sulfone) (PES) membrane immobilized with an alumina-calcium oxide catalyst. The reaction temperature, butanol to canola oil ratio, and transmembrane pressure applied through the membrane were optimized with response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design. In contrast to all previous catalytic membrane studies for biodiesel production, we used butanol as a co-reactant to improve the winter problems of biodiesel made with methanol. FTIR and SEM-EDX analysis confirmed the successful immobilization of the catalyst. At the end of 30 days of storage in the reactant mixture, 95% of the catalyst loaded to the membrane was still on the surface, and biodiesel yield values and butanol flux of the membrane did not change. We compared the batch and flowthrough operation modes by measuring the catalytic activity of membranes under static and dynamic conditions within 24 h (8-cycle). The biodiesel yield under dynamic condition decreased in the first three cycles from 54.54 +/- 0.65% to 47.31 +/- 0.70% and then stayed constant, whereas a continuous decrease from 25.42 +/- 0.57% to 17.19 +/- 0.58% was observed under static condition. In each cycle, the equilibrium limitation for the yield was overcome only when the membrane was operated under pressure. The main reason for the decrease in catalytic activities was the fouling on the catalyst surface which was quickly removed by backwashing with butanol. It is concluded that catalytic membranes with antifouling properties and alcohol stability can make biodiesel production more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.