(546v) A Solid Mineral (limestone) As a Potential Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Yellow Oleander Oil (Thevetia peruviana)

This work considers the use of a solid mineral (limestone) as heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production from yellow oleander seed oil (YOO). Limestone was crushed and reduced to less than 200 µm, the crushed limestone was separated into eight samples, all of which were prepared by calcinating at 700^oC, four samples were pre-soaked in methanol while the other four were not. It was noted that pre-soaking pulverized limestone in methanol and calcinating for 5 hours gave the highest calcium content of 58.48% as determined by EDXRF Spectrophotometer (EDX3600B). This was used for biodiesel synthesis. The biodiesel production was performed at catalyst amount of 4 g, reaction time of 70 minutes and methanol/oil ratio of 0.1. The biodiesel yield under this condition was 86.00 % (v/v) this was validated by running three experimental explicate. The physical state of the biodiesel was found to be liquid/reddish-brown at room temperature, acid value of 0.508 (mgKOH/g oil), FFA value of 0.254, iodine value of 73.20 (g I₂/100g oil), saponification value of 26.648 (mgKOH/g oil), cetane number of 234.580 among others. Qualities of the yellow oleander biodiesel (YOB) were compared to standards set by ASTM D6751 and EN 14214.