Life cycle assessment of reusing by-products from esterification reaction: Through the acidification process
Anggara Dwita Burmana, Rondang Tambun, Renita Manurung, Maya Sarah, Bode Haryanto, Iriany, Ruri Rizki Syahputri Zuhri
Abstract
• The path from life cycle assessment to life cycle costs. • The reusability of the Amberlite 14i catalyst was demonstrated 19 times. • Reuse of biodiesel by-products via an acidification process. • The biodiesel by-product acidification process was examined using 12 scenarios for product optimization. This study aims to investigate the results of biodiesel synthesis utilizing Amberlite 14i and the acidification process applied to the effluent from the process using 12 different scenarios. Reusing the catalyst up to 19 times was the outcome of the esterification process with constant nitrogen stirring. Utilizing treated wastewater lessens the pressure on water supplies, which is important in areas with limited water supplies. The assessment's findings illustrate the environmental effects linked to the production of one kilogram of biodiesel. These effects include eutrophication (0.0004 kg of PO 4 equivalent), acidification (0.0082 kg of SO 2 equivalent), and the possibility of global warming (1.0382 kg of CO 2 equivalent). The investigation of the acidification process with 3 different types of strong acids on the by-products of esterification reactions utilizing homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts is what makes this study novel. The results indicate that, in comparison to other scenarios, scenario 8 (heterogeneous catalyst, 0.5% NaOH; 5% HCl) has the best acidification process, which is also reasonably inexpensive and produces less waste.