Fuel Properties and Oxidation Stability of Jathropha Biodiesel Produced from Microwave Assisted Transesterification using Renewable Calcium Oxide as Heterogeneous Catalyst

Abstract

Heterogeneous catalysts are promising catalysts for optimal biodiesel yield from transesterification of vegetable oils. In this work calcium oxide (CaO) heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized from eggshell. Calcination was carried out at 8000C for 5h and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Catalytic efficiency of CaO was tested in transesterification of crude Jatropha oil (CJO). A biodiesel yield of 87% was estimated at 1.75wt % catalyst, 5 min reaction time and 600 C temperature. The density, flash point, viscosity, acid value, cloud points, pour points, water content and fatty acid composition of biodiesel were determined and compared to ASTM and EN standard. The physical properties of the biodiesel were agreed with the standards. The fatty acid predominantly composed of 15- Octadecanioc acid, Heptadecanoic acid and 14-methyl-8-hexadecy with a percentage composition of 22.31%, 10.58% and 10.03% respectively. The biodiesel produced had low unsaturated fatty acids 0.40% and the saturated fatty acid was 22.31% which indicate good oxidation stability