Synthesis of biodiesel from Annona muricata – Calophyllum inophyllum oil blends using calcined waste wood ash as a heterogeneous base catalyst

Naturally, biodiesel synthesized from highly viscous and high-density vegetable oil is usually unsuitable as fuel in the internal combustion engine. However, mixing/blending of two or more oils as a feedstock for biodiesel production could produce a low viscous fuel suitable for the engine. This study produced a novel heterogeneous base catalyst from waste wood ash (WWA) and applied it to synthesis of biodiesel from Annona muricata and Calophyllum inophyllum • Waste wood ash contained a high percentage of calcium carbonate; • Blended oil produced oil of low viscosity; • Two-step production route was used for biodiesel synthesis; • Process optimization via hybrid design produced optimum biodiesel yield.