Case study of nonrefined mustard oil for possible biodiesel extraction: feasibility analysis

ABSTRACT A case study has been conducted to analyze the feasibility of converting nonrefined mustard oil for possible biodiesel extraction using a heterogenous catalyst. The catalyst is prepared from waste scallop shells and calcinated at different reaction temperature and time. Taguchi L27 orthogonal array is used for the present study. The optimal catalyst is observed to be obtained at 900 °C and exposed at 240 min. The synthesized renewable heterogeneous catalyst has been checked of its characteristics using X-ray power diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The reusability of the catalyst has also been determined.