Integrated Approach for Safflower Oil Extraction and Sustainable Biodiesel Production Using Waste-Derived Nano catalysts: Preliminary Results |
Paper ID : 1045-ISCH |
Authors |
mahmoud ahmed kamel *1, samya ibrahim ElSherbiny2, said elsheikh3, magdy zahran2, hassan hashish4 1Helwan University 2helwan university 3Central Metallurgical Research & Development Institute 4National Research Center |
Abstract |
The rapid depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the urgent need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions have intensified global interest in renewable and sustainable biofuels. Among various non-edible oilseed crops, Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower) has emerged as a promising candidate for biodiesel production due to its adaptability to marginal lands and high oil content. Despite this potential, challenges remain in maximizing oil recovery and optimizing biodiesel conversion efficiency while maintaining economic and energy sustainability. Oil extraction was first evaluated using Soxhlet, maceration, a screw press, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction. While the Soxhlet method yielded the highest oil recovery, the screw press was identified as the most economically and energetically favorable method, achieving 88% of the Soxhlet yield but with significantly lower operational costs and energy demand. Notably, preliminary findings revealed that the incorporation of ultrasonic and microwave treatments enhanced screw press oil recovery by 3% and 6%, respectively, demonstrating the role of advanced techniques in improving extraction efficiency. The second stage, currently underway, focuses on synthesizing waste-derived nano-catalysts for use in the transesterification process for biodiesel synthesis. The final stage will evaluate the produced biodiesel in terms of physicochemical properties and environmental performance, with a special emphasis on minimizing exhaust emissions and enhancing fuel quality compared to conventional diesel. Overall, this work demonstrates the potential of safflower oil as a feedstock for biodiesel, highlights the advantages of advanced extraction methods, and proposes a sustainable route that integrates waste valorization with renewable energy production. |
Keywords |
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), biodiesel, oil extraction, screw press, microwave, ultrasonic, nano-catalyst, sustainable biofuels, emissions |
Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |