Waste capiz (Amusium cristatum) shell as a new heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production

The waste Capiz shell was utilized as raw material for catalyst production for biodiesel preparation. During calcination process, the calcium carbonate content in the waste capiz shell was converted to CaO. This calcium oxide was used as catalyst for transesterification reaction between palm oil and methanol to produce biodiesel. The biodiesel preparation was conducted under the following conditions: the mole ration between methanol and palm oil was 8:1, stirring speed was 700 rpm, and reaction temperature was 60 °C for 4, 5, and 6 h reaction time. The amount of catalyst was varied at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt %. The maximum yield of biodiesel was 93 ± 2.2%, obtained at 6 h of reaction time and 3 wt % of amount of catalyst. In order to examine the reusability of catalyst developed from waste of capiz (Amusium cristatum) shell, three transesterification reaction cycles were also performed.

► New catalyst from capiz shell waste for biodiesel production.
► Transesterification of palm oil into biodiesel using CaO catalyst derived from capiz shell waste.
► The catalyst is potential for application in industrial scale.