Heterogeneous Catalyst based on Nickel Modified into Indonesian Natural Zeolite in Green Diesel Production from Crude Palm Oil

Abstract

Green diesel is an alternative renewable and environmentally friendly fuel in the transportation sector. This study aimed to modify Indonesian natural zeolite (NZ) with nickel and apply it as a catalyst in green diesel production from crude palm oil (CPO). The materials were prepared with different Ni content of 3, 5, and 10 wt.% and characterized in detail using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Fourier Transform infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Surface Area Analyzer (SAA). Catalytic tests were performed in a batch reactor at a temperature of 375 °C and a pressure of 12 bar for 2 hours. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was used to determine the liquid product. Based on XRD analysis, the crystallinity of materials tends to decrease after being modified with Ni. Concomitantly, the presence of Ni was indicated by new peaks with increasing intensity at 2? = 44°, 55°, and 76°. SEM analysis shows morphological changes in materials with decreasing particle sizes. The presence of Ni is also known by the presence of small spheres scattered in the material and black shades observed in TEM analysis. Based on IUPAC, the resulting isotherm graph is categorized as type I with type IV loop hysteresis and classified as micropore with an average pore size is <2 nm. The highest activity and selectivity on C