Ricky Indra Kusuma, Johan Prabowo Hadinoto, Aning Ayucitra, Felycia Edi Soetaredjo, Suryadi Ismadji
The transesterification of palm oil to methyl esters (biodiesel) was studied using KOH/zeolite as solid heterogeneous catalysts. Various process variables such as KOH concentration and reaction time were studied in order to obtain maximum yield of biodiesel. A series of KOH/zeolite catalyst was prepared by impregnation of zeolite from Pacitan with potassium hydroxide in a various concentration (25. g KOH in 100. mL of distilled water; 50. g KOH in 100. mL of distilled water; 75. g in 100. mL of distilled water; and 100. g in 100. mL of distilled water). The weight ratios between zeolite and KOH solution were 1:4. Transesterification was carried out at various reaction times (1 to 4. h). The impregnation of zeolite with KOH concentration of 100. g/100. mL gave maximum yield of biodiesel. The natural zeolite, catalyst, and spent catalysts were characterised by using several techniques such as XRD, EDX, and SEM. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University, Surabaya 60114, Kalijudan 37, Indonesia