Esterification of tripalmitin using calcined scallop shell as a heterogeneous basic catalyst

Abstract

AbstractCalcined waste scallop shell (Patinopecten yessoensis) was used as a basic heterogeneous solid catalyst for the transesterification of tripalmitin as a model triglyceride for assuming biodiesel production. The scallop shell was pulverized and calcined at 900 and 1000°C for 4 h. Calcined reagent calcium carbonate was also used as a control catalyst. The transesterification experiments were carried out at 30°C with varying catalyst dosage and calcination conditions. In the most experimental condition, the yield reached ~90% within 8–10 h. The overall reaction rate constant, k, was determined by simple first‐order reaction kinetics. The calcined catalyst was characterized using SEM, EDS, and XRD analysis. The number of basic active sites on the surface was determined by titration with benzoic acid. A linear relationship between k and the number of the basic active sites was obtained. The time course of the concentration of the products could be estimated using this relationship.