Umer Rashid - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Umer Rashid

Catalysts

Disadvantages of biodiesel include consumption of edible oils for fuel production, generation of ... more Disadvantages of biodiesel include consumption of edible oils for fuel production, generation of wastewater and inability to recycle catalysts during homogenously catalyzed transesterification. The aim of the current study was to utilize low-cost, inedible oil extracted from Sinapis arvensis seeds to produce biodiesel using a novel nano-composite superoxide heterogeneous catalyst. Sodium superoxide (NaO2) was synthesized by reaction of sodium nitrate with hydrogen peroxide via spray pyrolysis, followed by coating onto a composite support material prepared from silicon dioxide, potassium ferricyanide and granite. The roasted (110 °C, 20 min) and unroasted S. arvensis seeds were subjected to high vacuum fractional distillation to afford fractions (F1, F2 and F3) that correlated to molecular weight. For example, F1 was enriched in palmitic acid (76–79%), F2 was enriched in oleic acid (69%) and F3 was enriched in erucic acid (61%). These fractions, as well as pure unroasted and roasted ...

Sustainability, 2021

The need for exploring nonfood low-cost sustainable sources for biodiesel production is ever incr... more The need for exploring nonfood low-cost sustainable sources for biodiesel production is ever increasing. Commercial and industrial algae cultivation has numerous uses in biodiesel production. This study explores S. elongata as a new algal feedstock for the production of biodiesel that does not compete with food production. The major fatty acids identified in S. elongata oil were oleic (30.5%), lauric (29.9%), myristic (17.0%), and palmitic (14.2%) acids. Transesterification to FAME was conducted using basic (KOH), acidic (HCl), and Zeolitic catalysts for assessment. The yields with acidic (54.6%) and zeolitic (72.7%) catalysts were unremarkable during initial screening. The highest biodiesel yield (99.9%) was achieved using KOH, which was obtained with the optimum reaction conditions of 1.0% catalyst, 60 °C, 4 h, and an oil-to-methanol volume ratio of 1:4. The resulting S. elongata oil methyl esters exhibited densities, CNs, and IVs, that were within the ranges specified in the Amer...

Clean Energy for Sustainable Development, 2017

Abstract Recently, mesostructured solid catalysts have been attracting attention for biodiesel sy... more Abstract Recently, mesostructured solid catalysts have been attracting attention for biodiesel synthesis owning to their remarkable characteristics, such as harmonized surface characteristic, large surface area, large and flexible pore size, specific crystallization, and high thermal stability. Principally, higher surface area can be obtained as a result of either porous creation or transforming bulk material to nanoparticles. The bigger pore diameters simplify the diffusion of the reactants into pore channels, which consequently enhances the accessibility of the reactants to the majority of the active sites. The considerable physicochemical, morphological, structural, and textural properties of mesoporous materials have found applicable as heterogeneous catalysts, support catalysts, and adsorbents in many fields of studies. The absorbent surface property of the mesoporous catalysts makes them to absorb long-chain organic molecules such as free fatty acids (FFAs). It highly improves the catalytic activity through reaction for transforming of high FFAs feedstocks to biodiesel.

Bioresource technology, Jan 10, 2017

This study presents a preliminary assessment of biodiesel production from waste sources available... more This study presents a preliminary assessment of biodiesel production from waste sources available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for energy generation and solution for waste disposal issues. A case study was developed under three different scenarios: (S1) KSA population only in 2017, (S2) KSA population and pilgrims in 2017, and (S3) KSA population and pilgrims by 2030 using the fat fraction of the municipal solid waste. It was estimated that S1, S2, and S3 scenarios could produce around 1.08, 1.10 and 1.41 million tons of biodiesel with the energy potential of 43423, 43949 and 56493 TJ respectively. Furthermore, annual savings of US $55.89, 56.56 and 72.71 million can be generated from landfill diversion of food waste and added to the country's economy. However, there are challenges in commercialization of waste to biodiesel facilities in KSA, including waste collection and separation, impurities, reactor design and biodiesel quality.

African Journal of Biotechnology, Mar 20, 2009

The quality assurance of valerian (Balchur), a traditional herbal drug of global importance mainl... more The quality assurance of valerian (Balchur), a traditional herbal drug of global importance mainly used for nervous disorders, was studied. At global, regional, national and local levels the end users of this drug face the problems of adulteration. Two different botanical sources are commercially marketed in the Indo-Pak subcontinent under the same trade name of Balchur belonging to two different families. One is Valeriana wallichii DC. belonging to the family Valeriniaceae and another source is Acorus calamus L. belonging to Araceae. In this study, a commercially available drug sample of valerian is authenticated by using basic and advanced chemotaxonomic techniques. Authentication, quality and standardization of this drug related to its originality was achieved using physicochemical markers, TLC fingerprinting, UV and IR analyses, SEM of natural fingerprints (pollen) and anatomical parameters. This study will contribute towards the global recognition and international acceptance of valerian-like herbal drug.

Fuel, 2008

Present work reports an optimized protocol for the production of biodiesel through alkaline-catal... more Present work reports an optimized protocol for the production of biodiesel through alkaline-catalyzed transesterification of rapeseed oil. The reaction variables used were methanol/oil molar ratio (3:1-21:1), catalyst concentration (0.25-1.50%), temperature (35-65°C), mixing intensity (180-600 rpm) and catalyst type. The evaluation of the transesterification process was followed by gas chromatographic analysis of the rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) at different reaction times. The biodiesel with best yield and quality was produced at methanol/oil molar ratio, 6:1; potassium hydroxide catalyst concentration, 1.0%; mixing intensity, 600 rpm and reaction temperature 65°C. The yield of the biodiesel produced under optimal condition was 95-96%. It was noted that greater or lower the concentration of KOH or methanol than the optimal values, the reaction either did not fully occur or lead to soap formation. The quality of the biodiesel produced was evaluated by the determinations of important properties such as density, specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, higher heating value, acid value, flash point, pour point, cloud point, combustion point, cold filter plugging point, cetane index, ash content, sulphur content, water content, copper strip corrosion value, distillation temperature and fatty acid composition. The produced biodiesel was found to exhibit fuel properties within the limits prescribed by the latest American Standards for Testing Material (ASTM) and European EN standards.

Energies, 2020

Biodiesel offers an advantage only if it can be used as a direct replacement for ordinary diesel.... more Biodiesel offers an advantage only if it can be used as a direct replacement for ordinary diesel. There are many reasons to promote biodiesel. However, biodiesel cannot get wide acceptance until its drawbacks have been overcome including poor low temperature flow properties, variation in the quality of biodiesel produced from different feedstocks and fuel filter blocking. In the present study, a much cheaper and simpler method called high vacuum fractional distillation (HVFD) has been used as an alternative to produce high-quality refined biodiesel and to improve on the abovementioned drawbacks of biodiesel. The results of the present study showed that none of biodiesel sample produced from crude Azadirachta indica (neem) oil met standard biodiesel cetane number requirements. The high vacuum fractional distillation (HVFD) process improved the cetane number of produced biodiesels which ranged from 44–87.3. Similarly, biodiesel produced from fractionated Azadirachta indica oil has sho...

Molecules, 2012

The use of some novel and efficient crop nutrient-based superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposites (S... more The use of some novel and efficient crop nutrient-based superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposites (SHNCs), is currently becoming increasingly important to improve the crop yield and productivity, due to their water retention properties. In the present study a poly(Acrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/AlZnFe 2 O 4 superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposite was synthesized and its physical properties characterized using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), FE-SEM and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The effects of different levels of SHNC were studied to evaluate the moisture retention properties of sandy loam soil (sand 59%, silt 21%, clay 19%, pH 7.4, EC 1.92 dS/m). The soil amendment with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 w/w% of SHNC enhanced the moisture retention significantly at field capacity compared to the untreated soil. Besides, in a separate experiment, seed germination and seedling growth of wheat was found to be notably improved with the application of SHNC. A delay in wilting of seedlings by 5-8 days was observed for SHNC-amended soil, thereby improving wheat plant growth and establishment.

Catalysts

The synthesis of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas by transesterification is kinetically controlled.... more The synthesis of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas by transesterification is kinetically controlled. It depends on the molar ratio, reaction time, and temperature, as well as the catalyst nature and quantity. The aim of this study was to explore the transesterification of low-cost, inedible J. curcas seed oil utilizing both homogenous (potassium hydroxide; KOH) and heterogenous (calcium oxide; CaO) catalysis. In this effort, two steps were used. First, free fatty acids in J. curcas oil were reduced from 12.4 to less than 1 wt.% with sulfuric acid-catalyzed pretreatment. Transesterification subsequently converted the oil to biodiesel. The yield of fatty acid methyl esters was optimized by varying the reaction time, catalyst load, and methanol-to-oil molar ratio. A maximum yield of 96% was obtained from CaO nanoparticles at a reaction time of 5.5 h with 4 wt.% of the catalyst and an 18:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio. The optimum conditions for KOH were a molar ratio of methanol to oil of ...

Environmental Technology & Innovation

This study presents a preliminary assessment of biodiesel production from waste sources available... more This study presents a preliminary assessment of biodiesel production from waste sources available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for energy generation and solution for waste disposal issues. A case study was developed under three different scenarios: (S1) KSA population only in 2017, (S2) KSA population and pilgrims in 2017, and (S3) KSA population and pilgrims by 2030 using the fat fraction of the municipal solid waste. It was estimated that S1, S2, and S3 scenarios could produce around 1.08, 1.10 and 1.41 million tons of biodiesel with the energy potential of 43423, 43949 and 56493 TJ respectively. Furthermore, annual savings of US $55.89, 56.56 and 72.71 million can be generated from landfill diversion of food waste and added to the country's economy. However, there are challenges in commercialization of waste to biodiesel facilities in KSA, including waste collection and separation, impurities, reactor design and biodiesel quality.

Clean Energy for Sustainable Development, 2017

Abstract Recent worldwide energy crises have provoked the development of alternative energy sourc... more Abstract Recent worldwide energy crises have provoked the development of alternative energy sources. Biodiesel is gaining acceptance worldwide as an alternative fuel usually synthesized by chemical/biochemical transesterification of vegetable oils/animal fat. Chemically, acids, alkalis, and metal oxide are being used to catalyze transesterification reactions in addition to the heterogeneous catalysts, whereas biochemically enzymes are used. Chemical transesterification reactions present several disadvantages, i.e., need to remove inorganic salts, high temperature, and undesirable side reactions. Therefore considering the ecological and economic perspectives, researchers are considering enzyme-catalyzed reactions for biodiesel production with advantages such as enzyme specificity, reuse ability, genetically improved efficiency, mild reaction conditions, ability to accept new substrates, natural and thermal stability, and capability to catalyze green reactions. This chapter therefore summarizes recent trends, analytical technicalities, and future prospective of chemical and enzymatic routes in addition to optimization techniques, fuel characteristics, and emission profiles of biodiesel as sustainable fuel.

Grasas y Aceites, 2013

Epoxidación de ésteres metílicos derivados del aceite de Jatropha: Optimización del estudio This ... more Epoxidación de ésteres metílicos derivados del aceite de Jatropha: Optimización del estudio This study suggested relatively higher molar ratio of formic acid required than was proposed in the literature.

Catalysts

Disadvantages of biodiesel include consumption of edible oils for fuel production, generation of ... more Disadvantages of biodiesel include consumption of edible oils for fuel production, generation of wastewater and inability to recycle catalysts during homogenously catalyzed transesterification. The aim of the current study was to utilize low-cost, inedible oil extracted from Sinapis arvensis seeds to produce biodiesel using a novel nano-composite superoxide heterogeneous catalyst. Sodium superoxide (NaO2) was synthesized by reaction of sodium nitrate with hydrogen peroxide via spray pyrolysis, followed by coating onto a composite support material prepared from silicon dioxide, potassium ferricyanide and granite. The roasted (110 °C, 20 min) and unroasted S. arvensis seeds were subjected to high vacuum fractional distillation to afford fractions (F1, F2 and F3) that correlated to molecular weight. For example, F1 was enriched in palmitic acid (76–79%), F2 was enriched in oleic acid (69%) and F3 was enriched in erucic acid (61%). These fractions, as well as pure unroasted and roasted ...

Sustainability, 2021

The need for exploring nonfood low-cost sustainable sources for biodiesel production is ever incr... more The need for exploring nonfood low-cost sustainable sources for biodiesel production is ever increasing. Commercial and industrial algae cultivation has numerous uses in biodiesel production. This study explores S. elongata as a new algal feedstock for the production of biodiesel that does not compete with food production. The major fatty acids identified in S. elongata oil were oleic (30.5%), lauric (29.9%), myristic (17.0%), and palmitic (14.2%) acids. Transesterification to FAME was conducted using basic (KOH), acidic (HCl), and Zeolitic catalysts for assessment. The yields with acidic (54.6%) and zeolitic (72.7%) catalysts were unremarkable during initial screening. The highest biodiesel yield (99.9%) was achieved using KOH, which was obtained with the optimum reaction conditions of 1.0% catalyst, 60 °C, 4 h, and an oil-to-methanol volume ratio of 1:4. The resulting S. elongata oil methyl esters exhibited densities, CNs, and IVs, that were within the ranges specified in the Amer...

Clean Energy for Sustainable Development, 2017

Abstract Recently, mesostructured solid catalysts have been attracting attention for biodiesel sy... more Abstract Recently, mesostructured solid catalysts have been attracting attention for biodiesel synthesis owning to their remarkable characteristics, such as harmonized surface characteristic, large surface area, large and flexible pore size, specific crystallization, and high thermal stability. Principally, higher surface area can be obtained as a result of either porous creation or transforming bulk material to nanoparticles. The bigger pore diameters simplify the diffusion of the reactants into pore channels, which consequently enhances the accessibility of the reactants to the majority of the active sites. The considerable physicochemical, morphological, structural, and textural properties of mesoporous materials have found applicable as heterogeneous catalysts, support catalysts, and adsorbents in many fields of studies. The absorbent surface property of the mesoporous catalysts makes them to absorb long-chain organic molecules such as free fatty acids (FFAs). It highly improves the catalytic activity through reaction for transforming of high FFAs feedstocks to biodiesel.

Bioresource technology, Jan 10, 2017

This study presents a preliminary assessment of biodiesel production from waste sources available... more This study presents a preliminary assessment of biodiesel production from waste sources available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for energy generation and solution for waste disposal issues. A case study was developed under three different scenarios: (S1) KSA population only in 2017, (S2) KSA population and pilgrims in 2017, and (S3) KSA population and pilgrims by 2030 using the fat fraction of the municipal solid waste. It was estimated that S1, S2, and S3 scenarios could produce around 1.08, 1.10 and 1.41 million tons of biodiesel with the energy potential of 43423, 43949 and 56493 TJ respectively. Furthermore, annual savings of US $55.89, 56.56 and 72.71 million can be generated from landfill diversion of food waste and added to the country's economy. However, there are challenges in commercialization of waste to biodiesel facilities in KSA, including waste collection and separation, impurities, reactor design and biodiesel quality.

African Journal of Biotechnology, Mar 20, 2009

The quality assurance of valerian (Balchur), a traditional herbal drug of global importance mainl... more The quality assurance of valerian (Balchur), a traditional herbal drug of global importance mainly used for nervous disorders, was studied. At global, regional, national and local levels the end users of this drug face the problems of adulteration. Two different botanical sources are commercially marketed in the Indo-Pak subcontinent under the same trade name of Balchur belonging to two different families. One is Valeriana wallichii DC. belonging to the family Valeriniaceae and another source is Acorus calamus L. belonging to Araceae. In this study, a commercially available drug sample of valerian is authenticated by using basic and advanced chemotaxonomic techniques. Authentication, quality and standardization of this drug related to its originality was achieved using physicochemical markers, TLC fingerprinting, UV and IR analyses, SEM of natural fingerprints (pollen) and anatomical parameters. This study will contribute towards the global recognition and international acceptance of valerian-like herbal drug.

Fuel, 2008

Present work reports an optimized protocol for the production of biodiesel through alkaline-catal... more Present work reports an optimized protocol for the production of biodiesel through alkaline-catalyzed transesterification of rapeseed oil. The reaction variables used were methanol/oil molar ratio (3:1-21:1), catalyst concentration (0.25-1.50%), temperature (35-65°C), mixing intensity (180-600 rpm) and catalyst type. The evaluation of the transesterification process was followed by gas chromatographic analysis of the rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) at different reaction times. The biodiesel with best yield and quality was produced at methanol/oil molar ratio, 6:1; potassium hydroxide catalyst concentration, 1.0%; mixing intensity, 600 rpm and reaction temperature 65°C. The yield of the biodiesel produced under optimal condition was 95-96%. It was noted that greater or lower the concentration of KOH or methanol than the optimal values, the reaction either did not fully occur or lead to soap formation. The quality of the biodiesel produced was evaluated by the determinations of important properties such as density, specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, higher heating value, acid value, flash point, pour point, cloud point, combustion point, cold filter plugging point, cetane index, ash content, sulphur content, water content, copper strip corrosion value, distillation temperature and fatty acid composition. The produced biodiesel was found to exhibit fuel properties within the limits prescribed by the latest American Standards for Testing Material (ASTM) and European EN standards.

Energies, 2020

Biodiesel offers an advantage only if it can be used as a direct replacement for ordinary diesel.... more Biodiesel offers an advantage only if it can be used as a direct replacement for ordinary diesel. There are many reasons to promote biodiesel. However, biodiesel cannot get wide acceptance until its drawbacks have been overcome including poor low temperature flow properties, variation in the quality of biodiesel produced from different feedstocks and fuel filter blocking. In the present study, a much cheaper and simpler method called high vacuum fractional distillation (HVFD) has been used as an alternative to produce high-quality refined biodiesel and to improve on the abovementioned drawbacks of biodiesel. The results of the present study showed that none of biodiesel sample produced from crude Azadirachta indica (neem) oil met standard biodiesel cetane number requirements. The high vacuum fractional distillation (HVFD) process improved the cetane number of produced biodiesels which ranged from 44–87.3. Similarly, biodiesel produced from fractionated Azadirachta indica oil has sho...

Molecules, 2012

The use of some novel and efficient crop nutrient-based superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposites (S... more The use of some novel and efficient crop nutrient-based superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposites (SHNCs), is currently becoming increasingly important to improve the crop yield and productivity, due to their water retention properties. In the present study a poly(Acrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/AlZnFe 2 O 4 superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposite was synthesized and its physical properties characterized using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), FE-SEM and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The effects of different levels of SHNC were studied to evaluate the moisture retention properties of sandy loam soil (sand 59%, silt 21%, clay 19%, pH 7.4, EC 1.92 dS/m). The soil amendment with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 w/w% of SHNC enhanced the moisture retention significantly at field capacity compared to the untreated soil. Besides, in a separate experiment, seed germination and seedling growth of wheat was found to be notably improved with the application of SHNC. A delay in wilting of seedlings by 5-8 days was observed for SHNC-amended soil, thereby improving wheat plant growth and establishment.

Catalysts

The synthesis of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas by transesterification is kinetically controlled.... more The synthesis of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas by transesterification is kinetically controlled. It depends on the molar ratio, reaction time, and temperature, as well as the catalyst nature and quantity. The aim of this study was to explore the transesterification of low-cost, inedible J. curcas seed oil utilizing both homogenous (potassium hydroxide; KOH) and heterogenous (calcium oxide; CaO) catalysis. In this effort, two steps were used. First, free fatty acids in J. curcas oil were reduced from 12.4 to less than 1 wt.% with sulfuric acid-catalyzed pretreatment. Transesterification subsequently converted the oil to biodiesel. The yield of fatty acid methyl esters was optimized by varying the reaction time, catalyst load, and methanol-to-oil molar ratio. A maximum yield of 96% was obtained from CaO nanoparticles at a reaction time of 5.5 h with 4 wt.% of the catalyst and an 18:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio. The optimum conditions for KOH were a molar ratio of methanol to oil of ...

Environmental Technology & Innovation

This study presents a preliminary assessment of biodiesel production from waste sources available... more This study presents a preliminary assessment of biodiesel production from waste sources available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for energy generation and solution for waste disposal issues. A case study was developed under three different scenarios: (S1) KSA population only in 2017, (S2) KSA population and pilgrims in 2017, and (S3) KSA population and pilgrims by 2030 using the fat fraction of the municipal solid waste. It was estimated that S1, S2, and S3 scenarios could produce around 1.08, 1.10 and 1.41 million tons of biodiesel with the energy potential of 43423, 43949 and 56493 TJ respectively. Furthermore, annual savings of US $55.89, 56.56 and 72.71 million can be generated from landfill diversion of food waste and added to the country's economy. However, there are challenges in commercialization of waste to biodiesel facilities in KSA, including waste collection and separation, impurities, reactor design and biodiesel quality.

Clean Energy for Sustainable Development, 2017

Abstract Recent worldwide energy crises have provoked the development of alternative energy sourc... more Abstract Recent worldwide energy crises have provoked the development of alternative energy sources. Biodiesel is gaining acceptance worldwide as an alternative fuel usually synthesized by chemical/biochemical transesterification of vegetable oils/animal fat. Chemically, acids, alkalis, and metal oxide are being used to catalyze transesterification reactions in addition to the heterogeneous catalysts, whereas biochemically enzymes are used. Chemical transesterification reactions present several disadvantages, i.e., need to remove inorganic salts, high temperature, and undesirable side reactions. Therefore considering the ecological and economic perspectives, researchers are considering enzyme-catalyzed reactions for biodiesel production with advantages such as enzyme specificity, reuse ability, genetically improved efficiency, mild reaction conditions, ability to accept new substrates, natural and thermal stability, and capability to catalyze green reactions. This chapter therefore summarizes recent trends, analytical technicalities, and future prospective of chemical and enzymatic routes in addition to optimization techniques, fuel characteristics, and emission profiles of biodiesel as sustainable fuel.

Grasas y Aceites, 2013

Epoxidación de ésteres metílicos derivados del aceite de Jatropha: Optimización del estudio This ... more Epoxidación de ésteres metílicos derivados del aceite de Jatropha: Optimización del estudio This study suggested relatively higher molar ratio of formic acid required than was proposed in the literature.