Process for producing reactive calcium oxide catalyst

Abstract

A process for producing a reactive calcium oxide (CaO) catalyst is disclosed. The process utilizes calcium hydroxide as precursor material subjected to controlled thermal treatment in a muffle furnace under ambient air conditions without inert gas purging. Calcination parameters including temperature and holding time are optimized to produce CaO catalysts exhibiting enhanced catalytic activity for monolaurin synthesis. An optimum calcination condition of about 858°C and about 128 minutes produces CaO particles having rod-like and dumbbell-shaped morphologies associated with improved catalytic performance. The disclosed process operates at lower temperatures than conventional calcium carbonate calcination methods and avoids carbon dioxide emissions associated with carbonate decomposition, thereby providing a practical, scalable, and environmentally sustainable route for preparing reactive calcium oxide catalysts.