Methanolysis of Jatropha curcas oil using K2CO3/CaO as a solid base catalyst

Biodiesel, fatty acid methyl ester produced by the transesterification of vegetable oil with methanol, is a promising alternative to petroleum-based diesel fuel. In the present study, the methanolysis of high free fatty acid (FFA) Jatropha curcas oil in a transesterification reaction using K2CO3/CaO solid base catalyst was studied. The various reaction parameters in the transesterification reaction were also discussed. The catalyst was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed desorption of CO2, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analyzer, true density, and surface area analyzer.