A Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, Temitope Odetoye, has produced biodiesel through exploration of chicken eggshell-derived heterogeneous catalyst.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, Odetoye said the new breakthrough was in line with the efforts of the nation’s most sought-after university, towards developing home grown technology that would enhance the socio-economic progress of the country.
She added that the feat was accomplished through ‘trans esterification experiment.’
The don who recently delivered the 253rd inaugural lecture of the university said the yield showed that eggshell was an affordable potential catalyst source for biodiesel production.
The renowned scholar said, “the utilisation of eggshells can add value to the poultry production process and minimise waste in the poultry industry.”
Odetoye pointed out that biodiesel had been considered one of the sustainable fuel alternatives.
She noted that the high production cost of biodiesel when juxtaposed with fossil fuel, remains one of the major drawbacks in biodiesel production.
Odetoye defined biofuel as fuel made from biomass, saying: “Biofuel is synonymous with biocrude, biodiesel, bio-oil, biogas, bioethanol, biosyngas and bioslurry fuels.”
The Professor of Chemical Engineering added that Nigeria is endowed with abundant lignocellulosic biomass residues waiting to be explored through more environmentally friendly ways.
