Evaluation of Impact of Calcination Temperatures on Kola Nut Pod Residue as Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis

The research explores the viability of Kola Nut Pod (KNP) residue, derived from kola fruit in West African countries, as a catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. The abundant KNP husk, a byproduct, raises environmental concerns if discarded directly. The study aims to utilize KNP as a biocatalyst to address environmental issues and reduce biodiesel feedstock costs. Applying calcination temperatures from 500 to 900 ℃, the resulting ash undergoes chemical analysis to determine the optimal temperature for catalyst formation. The material undergoes pre-treatment, including drying and grinding, with varied calcination temperatures to obtain ash products. Chemical, elemental, and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses characterize both uncalcined and calcined samples. The uncalcined sample contains SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, K2O, and other oxides, with CaO as the predominant component. Calcination temperature effects indicate increased SiO2 and Al2O3, while CaO remains stable, presenting KNP as a promising biodiesel catalyst feedstock. Elemental composition analysis identifies potassium as the key catalytic contributor. The CaO content shows an increase from the uncalcined state (29.52%) to 42.81% at 500 and 600°C, and relatively stable at 41% from 700 to 900°C. The elemental composition reveals that potassium is the most abundant element at 31.7%, followed by calcium (17%), and magnesium (7.4%). XRD analysis confirms CaO as the primary compound in calcined KNP ash, with Ca (OH)2 and KCl occurrences. The study offers insights into the optimal calcination temperature for KNP-derived catalysts, underscoring Kola Nut Pod residue's potential as a cost-effective and eco-friendly source for biodiesel production.