Transesterification of canola oil over Li/Ca-La mixed oxide catalyst: Kinetics and calcination temperature investigations

In this research, a solid 1%Li/Ca-La mixed oxide catalyst was prepared using co-precipitation method followed by wet impregnation. The prepared catalyst was used in the transesterification reaction of canola oil and methanol for biodiesel synthesis. The effects of calcination and reaction temperatures were investigated on the activity of the catalyst. In addition, rate of the reaction was studied through a kinetic model for which parameters were determined. Surface properties and structure of the catalyst were characterized through the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. All these emphasized that the performance of the catalyst corresponded to the generation of the active sites and their thermal activation.     

Electrochemical performance of a novel ionic liquid derived mesoporous carbon

A novel nano-fibrillated mesoporous carbon (IFMC) was found to be an effective modifier in combination with ionic liquid 1-octylpyridinum hexafluorophosphate (OPFP) as a binder to give impregnated graphite electrodes with outstanding electrochemical performances.     

Experimental determination and prediction of methane hydrate stability in alcohols and electrolyte solutions

In petroleum exploration and production operations, gas hydrates pose serious flow assurance, economic and safety concerns. Thermodynamic inhibitors are widely used to reduce the risks associated with gas hydrate formation. In this communication, in order to establish the effects of salts and thermodynamic inhibitors on the locus of incipient hydrate–liquid water–vapour (H–L_W–V) curve, we report new experimental dissociation data for various quaternary systems, methane/water/thermodynamic inhibitor/salts for a pressure range of 6.89–29 MPa.