SYNTHESIS OF BIODIESEL FROM ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE (CASHEW) NUT SEED USING KI/AL2O3 CATALYZED IN-SITU TRANS ESTERIFICATION PROCESS

In this research, biodiesel was produced from Anacardium occidentale seed with the aid of KI/Al2O3 catalyzes and in-situ trans esterification process. The biodiesel produced was analyzed using different instruments namely; FT-IR, Xray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Hammett basicity techniques. The Optimization of the reaction process was also carried out using respond Surface Method (RSM). The empirical model was obtained and the statistical significance of the reaction variables (R2=74.36%). The optimum yield of biodiesel (97.75%) was achieved under the optimum reaction conditions of 0.8 wt of KI/Al2O3, 1:6 methanol to seed ratio, 2hrs of reaction time and 80oC of temperature. The result of characterization and its physiochemical properties of biodiesel were in line with the ASTM specification for diesel.