Integrated biodiesel production and DES-based purification from animal fats: comparative effects of feedstock, alcohol and catalyst

Authors

  • Kahkashan Nawaz Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Shoaib Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Sadia Khan Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Ahsan Abdul Ghani Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Shagufta Ishteyaque Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Sadia Amber Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54693/piche.05412

Abstract

Biodiesel is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels; however, the high cost of feedstock and downstream purification processes remains a significant challenge. This work presents an integrated approach for biodiesel production from chicken and beef fats using an alkali-catalyzed transesterification process followed by purification with a deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr) and oxalic acid. The effects of feedstock type, alcohols (methanol and ethanol), and catalysts (KOH, NaOH, and Ca(OH)2) were comparatively evaluated. The highest biodiesel yield, 91 ± 1%, was achieved using chicken fat, methanol, and NaOH under optimized conditions (60 oC, 1 hour, 400 rpm, a 6:1 alcohol-to-oil molar ratio). DES purification reduced acid value by ~37%, demonstrating effective impurity removal. Product quality was further validated through FT-IR, GC-FID, and physicochemical property analysis based on ASTM standards. The study demonstrates that the selection of feedstock, alcohol, and catalyst significantly influences reaction kinetics, phase separation, and mass transfer during process performance. The proposed integrated approach provides an efficient and environmentally friendly strategy for biodiesel production and purification.

Author Biographies

Muhammad Shoaib, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

Department of Chemical Engineering and Lecturer

Sadia Khan, Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology and Professor

Ahsan Abdul Ghani, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

Department of Chemical Engineering and Lecturer 

Shagufta Ishteyaque, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

Department of Chemical Engineering and Retired Professor

Sadia Amber, Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology and Lecturer

Published

2026-06-08

How to Cite

Nawaz, K., Shoaib, M., Khan, S., Abdul Ghani, A., Ishteyaque, S., & Amber, S. (2026). Integrated biodiesel production and DES-based purification from animal fats: comparative effects of feedstock, alcohol and catalyst. Journal of the Pakistan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 54(1). https://doi.org/10.54693/piche.05412

Issue

Vol. 54 No. 1 (2026): Journal of the Pakistan Institute of Chemical Engineers

Section

Articles

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