Optimization of Biodiesel Synthesis from Calophyllum inophyllum.

In this study, nano-size calcium-based heterogeneous catalyst derived from lime sludge was used for biodiesel production. Its catalytic activity in transesterification ofCalophyllum inophyllum(C. inophyllum) oil and the physicochemical properties of synthesized biodiesel were systematically investigated. Due to high free fatty acids two-step acid esterification and alkali transesterification were performed. Transesterification reaction follows pseudo-first-order kinetics and their rate constants were determined. Activation energy and frequency factor were found to be 20.69 kJ mol–1and 0.219 s–1, respectively. The fuel properties of the derived biodiesel was analyzed according to ASTM methods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]