Transesterification of different vegetable oils using eggshells from various sources as catalyst

Abstract

In the present study, different sources of eggshell were used as catalysts in the transesterification reaction for biodiesel production using different vegetable oils (soybean, canola, corn, and sunflower). Eggshells samples were calcinated at 800 ºC and characterized by XRD, SEM, and CO2-TPD. Transesterification reactions were performed at 65 °C for 4 h in a batch reactor with alcohol:oil molar ratio 9:1 and catalyst:oil ratio of 3% (wt.). Product analysis was performed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Samples showed biodiesel yields above 85 %. The best results were obtained using soybean and sunflower oils, and white chicken eggshell and quail eggshell as catalysts. These results are related to a higher percentage of palmitic acid and stearic acid in these oils, and to the strength of the basic sites of these catalysts.