The effect of KOH and NaOH catalyst and pressing temperature on the yield and properties of candlenut seeds (Aleurites moluccana) oil as potential biodiesel

Abstract

This study aims to determine the optimum conditions for obtaining Candlenut oil and biodiesel. The obtained biodiesel will be analyzed for the acid number, density, iodine number, moisture content, viscosity, free glycerol, total glycerol, methyl ester content, and flash point. At the initial stage, candlenut seeds will be pre-treated. The collected candlenuts are sorted and heated to reduce moisture content in the candlenut seeds. Candlenut seeds are pressed using a screw press to obtain hazelnut oil which will be used to produce biodiesel. To produce methyl ester, a transesterification process is carried out. In the transesterification process, alkaline KOH and NaOH catalysts are added to accelerate the reaction and increase the yield. The transesterification results will be analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). From the results of data processing, the maximum yield of hazelnut oil was 59.3%. In the transesterification process using a KOH + NaOH catalyst with a concentration of 1% and obtaining a biodiesel yield of 98.68%, as well as a density test of 889.3 (kg / m3) and an iodine number of 110.55 (g I2 / 100g). The results of the Biodiesel content in the hazelnut seed oil testing GC-Ms, Oleic 5.27%, Linoleic 20.7%, Palmitate 16.65%, Stearate 6.45%, Caprilate 3.15%, Kaprat 3.24%, Miristat 3.24%, Arachidonate 13.46% using 1% KOH + NaOH catalyst with 2-stage conditions with a time variation of stage 1 and 2 are 30 minutes each.