Heterogeneous Catalyzed Biodiesel Production from Sesame Oil (SesamumindicumL.) Using Calcined Chicken Eggshell

Abstract

At present, the world faces severe issues on energy crises and environmental deterioration. Fuel is inevitable for the industrial development and growth of any country. However, fossil fuel resources have always been terrifying. Biofuel energy, a renewable source, seems to be an ideal solution for global energy and environmental concern. Furthermore, the problem associated with homogeneous catalysts of non-reusability resulting in higher production costs prompted the search for heterogeneous catalysts. In this study, the synthesis of heterogeneous CaO catalysts from waste chicken eggshells is reported, ensuing in a process that is economically viable and environmentally friendly. The work focuses on an optimized protocol for the production of biodiesel from a feasible source, sesame oil (Sesamum Indicum L.) through base-catalyzed transesterification. The eggshell was calcined at 900 °C for 3 hours. Upon calcination, the eggshell was transformed to CaO from the initial CaCO3 structure, as can be observed from the FTIR spectrum that depicts a peak at 881 cm-1 corresponding to the Ca-O bond. The catalyst also has high basic sites of 2.933 mmol/g. When applied for the transesterification reaction, the optimal reaction conditions were found to be 1 wt. % catalyst amount (based on oil weight) and 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, with over 97.9% methyl esters conversion in 2 hours reaction period at a temperature of 60 oC.