BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM COCONUT OIL USING HETEROGENEOUS CATALYST DERIVED FROM ITS POD

Abstract

Production of biofuel from renewable biomass has become a popular way of converting waste to wealth.In this research, coconut (Cocos nucifera) was investigated as a renewable energy source.Oil was extracted from the nut for biodiesel production while the pod was used for synthesis of heterogeneous catalyst required for its transesterification.The moisture content of the coconut pod was determined before being calcinated at different temperatures.The transesterification process was prepared using ethanol as alcohol.The reaction time ranged between 30 minutes to 1 hour, ethanol-to-oil ratio of 9:1, while the catalyst concentration that was used was 10 wt %.Biodiesel yield of 6ml was recorded experimentally as the highest yield when temperature, reaction time, and alcohol-to-oil ratio were at constant temperature, 1 hour, and 9:1, respectively.Coconut pod was found to have a high percentage of K2O catalyst in biodiesel production.The usefulness of its oil and pod makes it an industrial feedstock for biofuel production.