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3D-Printed Aluminosilicate Catalysts for Energy-Efficient Biodiesel Production in Renewable Systems

J. A. Pérez-Remedios(1), S. Díaz-Gonzalez(2), L. Díaz(1), K. E. Rodríguez(1), A. Torres(1)

1.- Department of Chemical Engineering

2.- Department of Inorganic Chemistry

University of La Laguna. Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Island, 38200 (Spain)

2025-07-25

The transition to renewable energy requires efficient and sustainable biodiesel production methods. This study presents a novel lithium-impregnated aluminosilicate catalyst (LiSA), fabricated using a 3D-printed mold to enhance structural precision and catalytic performance. The structured catalyst, designed with optimized fluid dynamics, facilitated continuous biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas oil at room temperature. Diethyl ether (DEE) was employed as a cosolvent to improve methanol solubility, enabling high fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yields of 97.1% over 508 minutes of operation. Characterization by SEM, TGA, XRD, and ICP-MS confirmed high thermal stability and uniform pore distribution, ensuring long-term catalyst activity. Compared to previous studies on lithium-based heterogeneous catalysts, which require elevated temperatures to achieve high FAME yields, the LiSA catalyst demonstrates significant energy efficiency by operating at ambient conditions. This advantage positions it as a competitive alternative in the field of biodiesel catalysis. By minimizing energy consumption and improving mass transfer efficiency, this approach demonstrates the potential of 3D-printed catalysts in sustainable biodiesel production. Furthermore, this work contributes to the global discourse on advanced catalytic materials by bridging the gap between additive manufacturing and renewable energy applications, offering insights into practical implementation strategies. The findings contribute to advancing renewable energy integration and optimizing biofuel technologies for greener power systems.

Key words: Biodiesel, heterogeneous catalyst, 3D printing, renewable energy, energy efficiency.

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