Influence of Eggshell as Heterogeneous Catalyst in the Production of Biodiesel Via Transesterification of Onion Oil

Abstract

The global demand for energy is on the rise, driven by factors such as population growth and industrial expansion. Consequently, energy consumption worldwide is escalating steadily. This study investigates the catalytic efficacy of eggshells, specifically in the context of producing biodiesel from onion oil through transesterification. Two methods were employed: one utilizing sodium hydroxide as a homogeneous catalyst, and the other employing eggshells as a heterogeneous catalyst. Both reactions were conducted at 60-65°C for 60 minutes on a hot magnetic plate. The morphological properties of the eggshells were examined through SEM analysis, while XRF analysis was employed to assess their elemental composition. Results indicate that the use of eggshells as a catalyst yielded a maximum biodiesel percentage of 91.20% when 0.30 wt% of eggshell was utilized. These findings underscore the potential of eggshells as a viable heterogeneous catalyst in biodiesel production processes.