2012 journal article
KI-impregnated oyster shell as a solid catalyst for soybean oil transesterification
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY, 104, 329–335.
Research on inexpensive and green catalysts is needed for economical production of biodiesel. The goal of the research was to test KI-impregnated calcined oyster shell as a solid catalyst for transesterification of soybean oil. Specific objectives were to characterize KI-impregnated oyster shell, determine the effect of reaction variables and reaction kinetics. The catalyst was synthesized by impregnating KI on calcined oyster shells. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of portlandite and potassium iodide on the surface and a 31-fold increase in surface as a result of calcination and KI impregnation. Under the conditions tested, ideal reaction variables were 1 mmol g−1 for catalyst loading, 50 °C for temperature, 10:1 for methanol/oil, and 4 h for reaction time. The transesterification followed a first-order reaction (k = 0.4385 h−1). The option of using oyster shell for the production of transesterification catalysts could have economic benefits to the aquaculture industry in the US.