Evaluating oxidative and adsorptive treatments for phosphorus and sulfur reduction in biodiesel
摘要
The growing need for renewable energy and the high cost of conventional feedstocks have intensified interest in biodiesel production from residual raw materials. However, these feedstocks often contain elevated levels of contaminants, including phosphorus and sulfur, which must be reduced to comply with fuel regulations. This study evaluated the removal of phosphorus and sulfur from biodiesel produced via enzymatic hydroesterification using industrial residual feedstocks. Biodiesel samples were collected at different stages of the hydroesterification process and subjected to purification treatments combining oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and adsorption using seven different adsorbents. Phosphorus and sulfur contents were quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. The results demonstrated that the oxidation step was essential for effective phosphorus removal, with the best outcomes achieved using Tonsil® Supreme 1800 FF (AD2) and amorphous silica Trysil 3000 (AD3), reducing phosphorus content by over 80%. In contrast, sulfur removal was less efficient across all treatments, and oxidation did not significantly enhance sulfur reduction. These findings show the importance of combining oxidation and adsorption for phosphorus removal in biodiesel derived from high-contaminant feedstocks, while also indicating the need for improved strategies to address sulfur content.