Dry Purification by Natural Adsorbents of Ethyl Biodiesels Derived from Nonedible Oils

International audienceThe purpose of this work is to analyze the efficiency of natural adsorbents (rice husk ash (RHA) versus corn husk ash (CHA)) for the dry purification of ethyl biodiesels obtained by transesterification via homogeneous catalysis of nonedible oils (Balagnites aegyptiaca, Azadirachta indica, and Jatropha curcas). The characterization of RHA and CHA was achieved by N2 adsorption/Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis and by scanning electron spectroscopy with microanalysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The quality of the three biodiesels, before and after dry treatment on adsorbent, was evaluated by various analytical methods (1H nuclear magnetic resonance, gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector, Karl Fischer titration, and inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy). Several operating conditions (presence of activated carbon in the ashes, temperature, contact time, and number of treatment cycles) were tested in order to define the best procedure. RHA combined with the selected procedure showed very satisfactory results for removal of impurities from the produced biodiesels (residual glycerides, free glycerin, water, catalyst, and metals introduced during the oil extraction) and thus may be an alternative to the conventional wet purification process (acidic water washing)