PENGARUH LAJU ALIR LPG (SEBAGAI BAHAN BAKAR BURNER) TERHADAP KARAKTERISTIK NANOKOMPOSIT ZnO/Fe2O3 YANG DIBUAT MENGGUNAKAN FLAME SPRAY PYROLISIS

Abstract

Biodiesel is produced through catalytic esterification process of vegetable oil and alcohol. Producing of biodiesel was much carried out using homogeneous catalyst (acid/base). These process had many disanvantages: high energy consumption, side product formed and complicated separation among side product and catalyst. ZnO as transesterification catalyst has given high yield. To improve the catalytic performance, surface area per mas of catalyst must be increased by decreasing size of particle. To ease separation between product and catalyst, magnetic behaviour should be added to the catalyst. Aims of research were to obtain nanocomposite ZnO/Fe2O3 and determine physical characteristic as well as catalytic and separation performance of nanocomposite ZnO/Fe2O3. Nanocomposite ZnO/Fe2O3 was synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis method. Assisted by carrier air precursor solution of Zn(NO3)2 and Fe(NO3)3 was nebulized and flowed to inner tube of burner. Nebulasation was carried out by varying carrier gas flow rate but at constant rate of nebulization. LPG gas dan oxidant air were flowed to the inner annulus and outer annulus, respectively. The solid produced was separated from gas by particle filter. Solid particle obtained was then examined by X Ray Defraction (XRD), FE-SEM and BET as wel as catalytic performance. The result of the research showed that crystalinity of particles increased by increasing LPG flow rate. Particle size of ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite decreased by increasing LPG flow rate and size were dominantly between 50-100 nm. A part of particle was flowerlike particle. Specific surface area of ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite increased by increasing LPG flow rate and its value were between 45-55 m2/gram