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

• Main Authors: Boey, Peng-Lim, Maniam, Gaanty Pragas, Abd Hamid, Shafida, Ali, Dafaalla Mohamed Hag
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd. 2011
• Subjects: QD Chemistry
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/5343/1/FUEL_complete_version.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/5343/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.03.002

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.