Sustainable biodiesel production from waste olive oil: Utilizing olive pulp-derived catalysts for environmental and economic benefits

This paper introduces an environmentally and economically advantageous biodiesel production method using waste olive oil and pulp-derived catalysts. It tackles the critical issue of olive waste management by reusing discarded materials, reducing pollution, and minimizing landfill use. This sustainable approach preserves natural resources and reduces the carbon footprint associ- ated with waste disposal. Olive pulp-derived catalysts offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly alter- native to traditional catalysts, enhancing the economic viability of biodiesel production. Despite its low oil content, the waste olive pulp (WOP) is efficiently utilized for biodiesel production. The patent explores Sulfonated Carbon (SC) derived from dried olive pulp, serving as a robust acidic catalyst for transesterification. Characterization techniques comprising XRD, FTIR, and FESEM analyze SC properties. Biodiesel development optimization from waste olive oil (WOO) employs Response Surface Methodology (RSM), resulting in optimal conditions: a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 15:1, a 60 °C reaction temperature, a 5-h transesterification time, and a 4% catalyst dose, yielding an impressive 94% biodiesel yield. The biodiesel's chemical structure is confirmed through analytical tools such as FT-IR, 1HNMR, and 13CNMR.In summary, this study highlights the potential of sulfonated carbon as a catalyst for sustainable biodiesel generation from waste olive oil. It offers a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cata- lysts, delivering both environmental and economic benefits.