Valorization of marine fishmeal industry oil as feedstock and calcined shrimp and crab shells as catalysts for production of biodiesels and evaluation of their fuel properties, engine combustion, performance and gas emission characteristics.

The current investigation aims on valorization of marine fishmeal industry oil as alternate feedstock for biodiesel production using waste crustacean shell derived catalysts such as calcined shrimp shell (SSBD) at 1:12 oil-to-methanol molar ratio, 5 wt% catalyst dosage, 65 °C temperature, and 120 min reaction time and calcined crab shell (CSBD) at 1:9 oil-to-methanol molar ratio, 3 wt% catalyst concentration, 60 °C temperature and 60 min time, and validate their authenticity for application in diesel engine by evaluating engine performance, combustion, and gas emission characteristics. The SSBD and CSBD yield of 88.74 wt% and 87.47 wt% was obtained at 50 L biodiesel production. The fuel properties of SSBD and CSBD blends (B5, B20, and B50) ensured their application in diesel engine. The brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency values for all SSBD and CSBD blends didn't exhibit major deviation than diesel at 11.93 kW engine load, and ranged from 0.23 to 0.25 kg/kWh and 31.58–36.17%, respectively. Among all blends, the B50 blend of SSBD and CSBD reduced CO, CO 2 , and HC emissions up to 74.72% and 86.81%, 13.11% and 16.63%, and 35.09% and 58.54%, respectively. Overall, SSBD and CSBD produced using alternate novel feedstock and catalyst could pave way to meet energy demand and sustainable biodiesel production. [Display omitted] • Impact of calcined shrimp shell and crab shell catalyzed MFMI oil biodiesel on diesel engine was investigated. • Physicochemical and fuel properties of B5, B20, and B50 SSBD and CSBD blends were within international standard limits. • BSFC range was 0.23–0.25 kg/kWh, and the BTE range was 31.58–36.17% for all SSBD and CSBD blends. • B50 CSBD blend exhibited peak cylinder pressure of 55.8 bars and maximum heat release rate of 70.80 J/deg. • B50 CSBD showed maximum reduction of CO, CO 2 , and HC emissions up to 86.81%, 16.63%, 58.54%, than all the other blends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]