UNILORIN Don Produces Biodiesel From Egg’s Shells

A professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, Elizabeth Odetoye, has produced biodiesel through the exploration of chicken egg’s shell derived heterogeneous catalyst.

Odetoye said that the feat complements the efforts of the University of Ilorin towards developing homegrown technology that would enhance the socio-economic progress of the country.

She explained that the feat was accomplished through ‘trans-esterification experiment’’.

Odetoye, who recently delivered the 253rd Inaugural Lecture of the university said that the yield showed that egg’s shell was an affordable potential catalyst source for biodiesel production.

She added that “the utilisation of egg’s shells can add value to the poultry production process and minimise waste in the poultry industry”.

The don pointed out that biodiesel had been considered one of the sustainable fuel alternatives, noting 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 university lecturer added that Nigeria is endowed with abundant lignocellulose biomass residues waiting to be explored through more environmentally friendly ways.