Utilization of waste cockle shell ( Anadara granosa) in biodiesel production from palm olein: Optimization using response surface methodology

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) Vol. 90; no. 7; pp. 2353 - 2358
• Main Authors: Boey, Peng-Lim, Maniam, Gaanty Pragas, Hamid, Shafida Abd, Ali, Dafaalla Mohamed Hag
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anadara granosa; Analysis of variance; Applied sciences; Biodiesel; Catalysts; Charge coupled devices; Cockle shell; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Esters; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Methyl alcohol; Methyl ester; Optimization; Palm olein; Purity; Shells; Transesterification; Cockle shell; Transesterification; Biodiesel; Palm olein; Methyl ester; Waste utilization; Calcium oxide; Diesel fuel; Biofuel; Response surface methodology; Optimization; Ester; Catalyst; Methanol
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2011.03.002

► Waste cockle shells were utilized as catalyst in transesterification of palm olein. ► Optimized conditions were 4.9 wt.% catalyst and 0.54:1 methanol/oil mass ratio. ► Catalyst was able to be reused at least for three times, with conversion above 97%.
The cockle shell, which is available in abundance, has no any eminent use and is commonly regarded as a waste, was utilized as a source of calcium oxide in catalyzing a transesterification reaction to produce biodiesel (methyl esters). A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the two major influential reaction variables: catalyst and methanol amount towards purity and yield of methyl esters. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the catalyst has a positive influence on purity but negative on the yield. Meanwhile, the methanol/oil mass ratio showed a positive effect on both purity and yield. Using CCD, the optimum reaction conditions were found to be 4.9
wt.% of catalyst and 0.54:1 methanol/oil mass ratio. The prepared catalyst was capable of being reused under the suggested optimal conditions.