2012 journal article

KI-impregnated oyster shell as a solid catalyst for soybean oil transesterification

BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY, 104, 329–335.

By: S. Jairam n, P. Kolar n, R. Sharma-Shivappa n, J. Osborne n & J. Davis n

co-author countries: United States of America 🇺🇸
author keywords: Biodiesel; Fatty acid methyl esters; Solid catalysts; KI-impregnated oyster shells
MeSH headings : Animal Shells / chemistry; Animals; Catalysis; Computer Simulation; Esterification; Models, Biological; Ostreidae / chemistry; Potassium Iodide / chemistry; Soybean Oil / chemistry
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

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.