Synthesis of Bulk Calcium Oxide (CaO) Catalyst and its Efficacy for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

The numerous limitations of the conventional homogenous catalysts have become a great challenge for researchers in the area of biodiesel. Therefore, alternative catalysts for clean and environmental benign process is the solution. Calcium oxide catalyst was prepared from hydrated lime and it was used to produce biodiesel to test its efficacy. It was used to catalyze transesterification of Jatropha curcas oil and methanol at 60⁰C reaction temperature for 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 minutes reaction times and the corresponding biodiesel yield of 94.76%, 98.67, 100.00, 89.92 and 99.08% were obtained. The components of methyl ester found in the five samples of the biodiesel are listed.

Key words: synthesis, calcium oxide, catalyst, biodiesel, production