Sustainable Valorization of Coccus Nucifera Shell Ash for Renewable Energy Production

Researchers from the National Institute of Technology Warangal in Telangana, India, have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of sustainable energy. By exploring the potential of Coccus nucifera shell ash, they have successfully demonstrated its ability to function as both an efficient adsorbent for methylene blue dye and a green catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. This innovative approach aligns with sustainability goals, addressing waste management and renewable energy production.

Key Takeaways:

• The researchers achieved a 98.93% removal rate of methylene blue dye using Coccus nucifera shell ash as an adsorbent, with an adsorption capacity of 19.787 mg/g at pH 8.
• The calcined ash was used as a heterogeneous catalyst, attaining a 92.08% biodiesel yield from waste cooking oil at optimized conditions.
• The research utilized the Taguchi method to optimize the adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature, and mass transfer rate.
• Gray relational analysis identified temperature as the most critical factor affecting the biodiesel yield.
• The integrated valorization approach highlights the potential of Coccus nucifera shell ash for simultaneous dye remediation and biodiesel production.

Statistics:

• 98.93% removal rate of methylene blue dye using Coccus nucifera shell ash as an adsorbent.
• Adsorption capacity: 19.787 mg/g at pH 8.
• 92.08% biodiesel yield from waste cooking oil at optimized conditions using calcined ash as a heterogeneous catalyst.
• Relative standard deviation: 1.028% for biodiesel yield.
• Adsorbent dosage: 0.375 g.
• Contact time: 150 min.
• Temperature: 65°C.
• Mass transfer rate: 18.5 mL.

Sources:

• Investigators from National Institute of Technology Warangal zero in on Energy (Integrated Valorization of Waste Cooking Oil and Spent Coccus Nucifera Biosorbent for Biodiesel Production). Biotech Week. October 15, 2025; p 219.
• Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy. 2025.