title: KI-impregnated oyster shell as a solid catalyst for soybean oil transesterification.
abstract: Research on inexpensive and green catalysts is needed for economical production of biodiesel. The goal of the research was to test KI-impregnated calcined oyster shell as a solid catalyst for transesterification of soybean oil. Specific objectives were to characterize KI-impregnated oyster shell, determine the effect of reaction variables and reaction kinetics. The catalyst was synthesized by impregnating KI on calcined oyster shells. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of portlandite and potassium iodide on the surface and a 31-fold increase in surface as a result of calcination and KI impregnation. Under the conditions tested, ideal reaction variables were 1 mmol g(-1) for catalyst loading, 50 °C for temperature, 10:1 for methanol/oil, and 4h for reaction time. The transesterification followed a first-order reaction (k=0.4385 h(-1)). The option of using oyster shell for the production of transesterification catalysts could have economic benefits to the aquaculture industry in the US.
authors.affiliation: Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. sjairam@ncsu.edu
authors.forename: Suguna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jairam
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kolar
authors.forename: Ratna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma-Shivappa
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: Jack P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D060105:Animal Shells / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002384:Catalysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004951:Esterification; D008954:Models, Biological; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000737:chemistry*; D011193:Potassium Iodide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011193:Potassium Iodide; D013024:Soybean Oil