Response surface optimization for biodiesel production from waste cooking oil utilizing eggshells as heterogeneous catalyst

This research paper deals with the transesterification of waste cooking oil for biodiesel production utilizing eggshells as the heterogeneous catalyst. Eggshells which are often discarded as waste finds application as a catalyst in biodiesel transesterification paving a way for effective waste management. Transesterification parameters were optimized using Central Composite design employing Response Surface Methodology. Design Expert software 12.0.8 was used for the optimization studies of time, temperature, oil: alcohol ratio and catalyst amount on biodiesel yield. The maximum biodiesel yield was obtained at 120 min, 50 degrees C, 1:6 oil: alcohol ratio and 5 g of eggshells. R2, adjusted R2 and predicted R2 values are 0.9826, 0.9963 and 0.9307 respectively which shows that experimental values are in good agreement with software predicted values having negligible lack of fit. The results were further validated at optimized conditions. Engine testing was done for the as synthesized biodiesel in a four stroke Internal Combustion engine which proved the efficiency of the produced biodiesel. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International e-Conference on Advancements in Materials Science and Technology.