Shell-Derived Heterogeneous Base Catalyst for Transesterification of Palm Oil

Abstract

In the present work, shell, which is available in abundance, low cost and non-toxicity, was used as a source of calcium for preparation of heterogeneous base catalysts. The catalyst was prepared by dissolution-precipitation method in which a calcined shell was mixed with Zn(NO3)2 and Al2O3 under acidic conditions, followed by calcination at 300-700 °C. ZSA-I was referred to as the catalyst attained under the suitable synthesis conditions. Physicochemical properties of ZSA-I were studied by using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric/ differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and CO2-pulse chemisorption analysis. ZSA-I gave the highest fatty acid methyl ester yield of 99 wt.% in the transesterification of palm oil with methanol and can be reused at least 5 times with a retention of the methyl ester yield higher than 96 wt.%.