PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM JATROPHA SEED OIL USING DOPED COW BONE AND UNRIPE PLANTAIN PEELS AS CATALYST

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this study was to produce biodiesel using a heterogeneous bi-functional catalyst using a single-step simultaneous esterification and transesterification of high free fatty acid Jatropha oil. The heterogeneous bi-functional catalyst was made from a mixture of cow bones and unripe plantain peels, doped with ferric sulphate and cobalt chloride. The mixture of the catalyst was done using the wet impregnation method. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, XRF, SEM and FTIR spectroscopy. In the study, the synthesized catalyst was used to catalyze the production of biodiesel through the reaction of methanol and high free fatty acid jatropha curcas oil (FFA=6.1%) using a magnetic stirrer. The effect of the various reaction parameters which include catalyst loading, methanol to oil ratio, reaction time and temperature on the yield and acid value of the biodiesel were investigated. The reaction parameters where studied to optimize the parameters that influences the transesterification process using the bi-functional catalyst. The optimum reaction parameter that gives maximum biodiesel yield of 91% with acid value of 12.2 mgKOH/goil, 5wt% catalyst loading, 12:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 55°C reaction temperature and 60 minsreaction time.