Enhanced biodiesel purification using coffee husk bioadsorbents: The role of pyrolysis temperature, KOH activation, and adsorption efficiency

Abstract

This study evaluates the performance of bioadsorbents derived from coffee husk pyrolyzed at temperatures of 600, 700, and 800 °C (CH600, CH700, and CH800), along with activated CH700 (ACH700), in biodiesel purification. The results indicate that CH700 significantly enhances biodiesel purity, with optimal purification conditions achieved at a dosage of 2 wt% CH700, a stirring rate of 400 rpm, and a contact time of 45 min. CH700 demonstrated modest performance, achieving approximately 20 % removal of methanol and water. However, after activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH), ACH700 demonstrated improved efficiency, achieving 96.92 % methanol removal and 39.46 % water removal. ACH700 also refined biodiesel quality to meet EN14214 standards and maintained a higher biodiesel yield compared to other adsorbents. The bioadsorption process is influenced by the chemical interactions between the surface functional groups of the bioadsorbent and the contaminants, which is further enhanced by the optimized pore structure of ACH700. The use of ACH700 represents a novel and highly effective approach to biodiesel purification, combining both technical efficiency and economic feasibility. Furthermore, the valorization of agricultural waste adds significant environmental benefits, reinforcing the potential of ACH700 for large-scale biodiesel production.