abstract
A cost effective and efficient method for the preparation of fuel grade biodiesel by the transesterification
of jatropha oil at room temperature over a coconut husk derived catalyst under mild reaction conditions
without the use of any cosolvent is reported here. Catalyst is prepared by means of controlled heating of
coconut husk, without any chemical treatment. The main active component over the catalyst was found
to be potassium. When the reaction temperature was increased to 45 C, the catalyst showed excellent
performance on the transesterification of Jatropha oil in a range of methanol/oil molar ratios. The
important speciality for the present catalytic systems is the comparatively low reaction temperature
requirement for effective reaction. For the optimization of different reaction variables including molar
ratio of the reactants, reaction time, the catalyst calcination temperatures and the catalyst/oil weight
percentage, a series of transesterification reactions were conducted and the results obtained are presented
here.