Biodiesel synthesis from refined bleached and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO) by transesterification using durian shell based carbon modified with KOH as heterogeneous catalyst

Abstract

In this study, an attempt had been made to use durian shell as carbon source for catalyst support for transesterification reaction. In this research, refined bleached and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO) and methanol were used as feedstock. The aim of this work was to evaluate the capability of durian shell based carbon as heterogeneous catalysts in transesterification of RBDPO. Carbonization of durian shell was conducted at 600°C for 2 h. The carbon resulted was modified by impregnation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) followed by drying and calcination. The modified activated carbon was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy – Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). This heterogeneous catalyst was utilized in transesterification of RBDPO. Transesterification of RBDPO was performed at 60°C and 500 rpm. Effect of process variables such as the load of catalyst and reaction time was investigated. The highest yield of 97.29% biodiesel was obtained by using 12:1 molar ratio of methanol to RBDPO at a reaction time of 90 minutes in the presence of 3 w% catalysts. The resulted biodiesel was then characterized for its ester content, density, and viscosity. The biodiesel properties met the Indonesia standard (SNI). The results confirmed that activated carbon from durian shell modified with KOH is suitable as a heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of biodiesel.