Pemanfaatan Tempurung Kelapa sebagai Katalis pada Sintesa Biodiesel dari Minyak Jelantah

Abstract

The use of coconut shell as a catalyst in the esterification reaction of used cooking oil (UCO) has been investigated. In this study, four types of coconut shell-based catalysts were developed by different activation method; application of carbonization process, and impregnation by concentrated sulfuric acid or KOH solutions. The morphology of the four catalysts was different. The catalytic performance test results showed that the highest free fatty acid (FFA) conversion was achieved in the esterification of UCO using a catalyst that was prepared without carbonization and impregnated by KOH (symbolized by KOH-C non). By using a non KOH-C catalyst, the effects of esterification parameters were studied, including the methanol / oil ratio: (1:1.3; 1:1,5 and 1:1,8), the solid catalyst / oil ratio (0.4 - 2.4%) b/v), and reaction times (1, 3, and 5 hours). The maximum 84.26% FFA conversion was obtained from UCO (initial FFA content of 2.76%) in the esterification conditions of oil / methanol volume ratio of 1: 1.5 v/v, catalyst amount of 1.6% b of the oil and 1 hour of reaction time.