Corrosion Behavior of Aluminum in Fossil Diesel Fuel and Biodiesel From Chicken Eggshell-Alumina-Catalyzed Waste Cooking Oil

Abstract

To curb environmental pollution emanating from the exhausts of engines using fossil diesel fuel (DF), studies on the use of biodiesel from renewable energy source are ongoing. However, engine components have been observed to corrode easily in biodiesels. In this study, a comparative study of the corrosion rate of aluminum coupon (AC) in biodiesel from waste cooking oil over chicken eggshell-supported alumina catalyst (WCOB) and fossil DF was executed. Weight loss method was used to examine the corrosion rate. Highest corrosion rates of 0.0381 and 0.0052 mm year−1 were recorded for AC in WCOB and DF, respectively. The developed mathematical models proved effective for corrosion rate prediction. At optimum prediction, the minimum corrosion rates for the AC in WCOB and DF were 1.822 × 10−3 and 1.222 × 10−3 mm year, respectively. Characterization revealed pits formation and presence of oxygen and carbon on AC surface with loss of Al ions from the AC surface into WCOB and DF after corrosion. In conclusion, all results revealed high corrosion rates of AC in WCOB than DF.