Synthesis of Bi-Functional Catalyst from Roadside Clay Modified by Eggshell Derived CaO for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

Fuel has become an important part of human life and most of the fuel demand has been met by fossil fuels. By with the passage of time fossil fuel reserves are depleting and more over the consumption of fossil fuels is also affecting the environment negatively. So biofuels are considered to be alternative fuels as they are environment friendly and can be synthesize with waste materials. Biodiesel is considered to be the most promising biofuel that can replace conventional diesel effectively. In this article work has been done on biodiesel synthesis by transesterification from animal fat in the presence of CaO/SiO2 catalyst. The CaO was generated by calcination of waste egg shells (powdered) at 950 °C for 4 hr. and SiO2 was extracted from ground clay by de alumination of ground clay. Later by wet impregnation method CaO/SiO2 was synthesized. When the reaction takes place at 60°C for 3 hr. having methanol-oil (molar) ratio to be 6:1, 3 wt% catalyst and catalyst was used had a composition ratio of Ca: Si to be 2:1, highest biodiesel yield was achieved to be 88.745%.