Characteristics of Cracking Palm Oil Methyl Esters in Temperatures 280°C using Zeolite Natural Catalyst of Mamasa

Abstract

The aim of this study is to characterize cracked products by GC-MS analysis and test the performance of natural zeolite catalysts originating from Mamasa in the catalytic crack reaction of methyl esters from palm oil for short chain hydrocarbons at 280°C. The method used for catalytic cracking of methyl ester includes 3 steps, namely the preparation of natural zeolite catalyst, catalytic cracking reaction at 280°C temperature, and analysis of cracked methyl ester. The characteristics of GC-MS cracking methyl esters indicate the addition of palmitoleic acid, and oleic acid. Cracking reaction of methyl ester at 280°C does not occur, the conversion of the reaction to form undesirable compounds namely carbon chains > C15, so the natural zeolite catalyst from Mamasa is not selective for cracking reaction at 280°C.