SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIO-BASED CATALYSTS DERIVED FROM PALM KERNEL AND EGG SHELL IN THE PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the potential use of low-cost agricultural wastes such as palm kernel shell and eggshell in the production of bio-bases heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst was synthesized through the carbonization, calcination, and impregnation techniques. The catalyst was characterized using XRF, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The activity and performance of the catalyst were tested through simultaneous esterification and transesterification reactions. The saponification value of the PKO was 235.8 mgKOH/g, the high acid value of 14.98 mgKOH/g can be explained as a result of immature seeds and poor storage conditions and the FFA gotten to be 7.48% Also, the results obtained from the EDXRF revealed the presence of calcium (Ca)in the catalyst at 70.485% in its oxide form at a peak of 109348 cps/mA. The outcome demonstrates that the biodiesel yield optimized is said to be 94.13% at methanol to oil ratio of 10:1 at catalyst amount of 3wt%. The reusability yield demonstrated that the created catalyst may be recycled and utilized for at least six additional reaction cycles while retaining a fair level of catalytic activity. An efficient heterogenous catalyst with high commercialization potential was created by successfully utilizing waste material