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Ethyl acetate as extracting solvent and reactant for producing biodiesel from spent coffee grounds: A catalyst- and glycerol-free process
Author(s)
Date Issued
July 1, 2022
Type
Article
Abstract
Oil was extracted from spent coffee grounds (SCGs) using ethyl acetate at atmospheric pressure; then, the ethyl acetate–SCG oil mixture was reacted under supercritical conditions, which involve a catalyst-free process. Moreover, ethyl acetate reacted with glycerol to form triacetin, which dissolves in biodiesel and acts as a fuel additive. Using this approach, the solvent removal step and glycerol byproducts are eliminated. The highest fatty acid ethyl ester contents of 91.80 wt% ± 1.62 wt% and 86.44 wt% ± 2.12 wt%. were obtained under optimal conditions in batch and continuous reactors, respectively. Based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis, no trace of glycerol was detected and triacetin was yielded at 4.22 wt%. This novel process simultaneously minimizes the number of chemicals used and the amount of waste generated because it employs only dried SCGs and ethyl acetate as the feedstock.
Citation
Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 186, 2022