THE CATALYTIC CRACKING OF JATROPHA OIL FOR BIOFUEL SYNTHESIS

ABSTRACT

In this study, jatropha seed oil was cracked to make biofuel. The objective was to ascertain the impact of catalytic and thermal cracking of jatropha oil in the presence of calcium oxide derived from calcined periwinkle shell for the production of biofuel. The mineral and elemental composition of the periwinkle shell was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, X-ray fluorescent (XRF) analysis, and Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Using the American standard testing table, the characterisation was done by determining the acid value, peroxide value, peroxide value, iodine value, density, viscosity, and flash point. The properties of the calcined periwinkle shell used for catalysis had a porosity of 68% and bulk density of 1.285g/cm3, and they show the presence of calcium at 92.745% in its oxide form at a peak of 137853 cps/Ma, making calcium the most predominant element. Silicon (Si) and aluminum were the next two most abundant elements, with concentrations of 0.767% at a peak of 60cps/mA and 6. Jatropha was thermally and catalytically cracked to produce biofuel, which was characterized and found to fulfil ASTM standards