Abstract

The waste snail shell was screened to determine its efficiency as heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production via trans-esterification reaction. Prior to its use, the solid oxide material (shell) was calcined at 800°C for 4 h to convert CaCO₃ to CaO. Physicochemical analysis of waste cooking oil reveals the acid value (3.47 mg KOH/gm), density (0.9 g/cm³), moisture content (0.1%) and kinematic viscosity (42.2) respectively. The prepared solid oxide catalyst was characterized using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) methods. The catalytic activity of the catalyst was evaluated by the transesterification reaction under the following reaction conditions: temperature (60°C), time (3 h) and methanol to oil ratio (9:1) respectively. GC-MS analysis was used to characterize the fatty acid methyl ester composition. The research signified successful application of waste snail shell as heterogeneous catalyst for prospective economic preparation of heterogeneous catalyst. It also developed an unconditional avenue for using the waste snail shell as the catalyst.

Keywords: Biodiesel; Snail shell; Heterogeneous catalyst; Calcium oxide; Transesterification