A Comparative Study of Transesterification of <i>Hydnocapus weightiana</i> Seed Oil Using Calcined and Acid Activated Natural Heterogeneous Catalyst and Its Kinetic Study

The world’s total fossil fuel consumption has been significantly increasing with consequential increased environmental catastrophes. A hunt for an alternate energy source was stimulated. Biofuel is a plausible option in this pursuit due to its ideal qualities which included but are not limited renewability and friendliness. However, the pump price of biodiesel still very high mainly cost production commodity influenced by feedstock homogeneous nature catalyst used. Heterogeneous prepared using Pila globosa sea snail shells calcination (CP8) acid activation (PTW1M). Hydnocapus weightiana seed oil (Non-edible feedstock) extracted soxhlet extraction method used biofuel methanol ratio 3:1. Agitation speed 800, 600 rmp, reaction temperatures 70°C, 60°C, concentration (3.00, 2.00 wt%) time (70 60 min) maintained CP8 PTW1M respectively. rate followed reversible second-order rate. Re-usability accessed. From TGA analysis, best temperature 800°C. SEM results showed improved surface morphology after calcination, especially CP8. FTIR analysis elimination volatiles formation CaO CaO4Te calcination. constant at different 0.0287 30°C, 0.1200 50°C 0.1142 70°C ethyl ester 49.49 KJ/mol. Using Most properties met ASTM 6751 standard. result re-usability that yield declined as follows: 92, 86, 80, 73 69 % 85, 84, 81, 76, 65. For PTW1M. After fifth regeneration cycle, both samples shell proved effective transesterification ethanol. It observed calcined superior catalytic performance.