International Journal of Emerging Engineering Research and Technology Volume 7, Issue 9, 2019, PP 7-18 ISSN 2349-4395 (Print) & ISSN 2349-4409 (Online) Optimization, Kinetics and Thermodynamics Study of Transesterification of Neem Oil Using Heterogeneous Catalyst Derived from Waste of Goat Bones Wisdom ChukwuemekeUlakpa1*, CallistusNonso Ude2, Ruth.O.Ulakpa3 1Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Department of Chemical Engineering, P.M.B 02, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria 2Engineering Research Development and Production Department, Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu State, Nigeria 3Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Department Environmental Management, P.M.B. 01660, Enugu State., Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Wisdom Chukwuemeke Ulakpa, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Department of Chemical Engineering, P.M.B 02, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria, Email:
[email protected] ABSTRACT In this study, calcium oxide (CaO) derived from waste bone (from goat) was used as catalyst for the transesterification of neem seed oil (NSO). The catalyst was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM).The transesterification was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Under the optimal conditions of methanol to oil molar ratio of 8:1, catalyst concentration of 4.0wt %, reaction temperature of 550C, reaction time of 4hr and agitation speed of 400rpm, 92.0% biodiesel was achieved. The reaction kinetics conforms to a pseudo-second order rate law with reaction rate constants of 1.96E-5, 2.17E-5 and 5.18E-5, at 45, 50 and 550C, respectively. Activation energy (EA) for the reaction was 90.98 kJ/mol and pre-exponential factor of1.46E10dm3mol-1min-1.Thermodynamic parameters calculated for the reaction show the enthalpy and entropy for the process to be 90.98 kJ mol-1 and 0.195 kJ mol-1 respectively.