Production of biodiesel from high free fatty acid feedstock using heterogeneous acid catalyst derived from palm-fruit-bunch

Abstract

ABSTRACT A novel solid acid catalyst was prepared from the palm-fruit-bunch by in-situ incomplete sulphonation carbonization method. The prepared catalyst was characterized to determine its physical and chemical properties which are determine its performance in a reaction. The catalyst was then subjected to esterification and transesterification reactions to produce biodiesel from high free fatty acid (FFA) Calophyllum inophyllum (C. inophyllum) oil. An optimum yield of 88.5 wt% methyl ester was achieved at 4 wt% of catalyst, methanol to oil molar ratio of 21:1 and a reaction temperature of 60ºC in 180 min. The fuel properties of the biodiesel were analyzed as per ASTM standard methods, and their properties were found to be in accordance with ASTM D6751.