The Application of Modified Marlstones in Biofuel Technology

Abstract

Nowadays, researchers have made attempts to seek for cost-effective and eco-friendly catalyst for transesterification reaction. One possible way to reduce the costs of the catalysts is to use biomass or industrial waste as catalytic materials. The use of waste materials as catalysts also reduces the cost of waste handling and disposal. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of the low cost, environmentally friendly calcined marlstones to be a viable catalyst in the transesterification of Jatropha seed oil. The calcination of marlstones was conducted at 900 °C for 4 h, and then the modification of calcined marlstones via hydration-dehydration treatment. The effects of different preparation conditions on biodiesel yield were investigated. The solid catalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The highest biodiesel yield of 97.56% for modified calcium oxide (CaO) catalyst was obtained under the optimum condition (reaction time 5 min, microwave power 600 W, methanol/oil molar ratio 9:1, and catalyst dosage 7 wt%). It was showing potential applications of novel catalyst in biodiesel industry.