Optimization of based catalyzed transesterification and characterization of palm oil methyl ester

• Main Authors: Amizan, Muhammad Azri Ali Mohd, Rahman, Aida Syafiqah Abd, Banjar, Mohd Faizar, Khalil, Nor Afifah, Zulkifli, Muzafar, Hossain, M. D. Sohrab, Fizal, Ahmad Noor Syimir, Yahaya, Ahmad Naim Ahmad
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal fat; Biodiesel fuels; Catalysts; Diesel engines; Engine tests; Esters; Ethanol; Iodine; Kinematics; Methanol; Moisture content; Palm oil; Potassium hydroxides; Reaction time; Transesterification; Vegetable oils; Viscosity
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0196660

Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petrol diesel, described as the mono-alkyl esters of vegetable oils or animal fats. Commonly, produced through transesterification with methanol or ethanol as alcohol with the help of a catalyst to increase the reaction rate and shift the equilibrium to the right. This study was conducted to determine the ideal operating conditions for alkaline-catalyzed transesterification to obtain the highest yield of FAME (%). The transesterification process was done using palm oil as feedstock reacted with methanol and assisted with potassium hydroxide(KOH) as the catalyst. Four different variables are done in the research which are the molar ratio (methanol: oil), reaction temperature (°C), reaction time (min), and catalyst loading (%). The highest yield obtained was at molar ratio 15:1, reaction temperature of 60°C, the reaction time of 120 min, and catalyst loading of 1% where the yield obtained was 87.47%, 87.73%, 87.97%, and 89.93%. However, according to a Minitab simulation, the optimum yield of 91.65% could be reached by performing the transesterification process with a molar ratio of 15:1, a reaction temperature of 60°C, a reaction time of 90 minutes, and a catalyst loading of 2%. Next, the physicochemical properties of the FAME were determined for its saponification value, iodine value, viscosity, and moisture content using the ASTM method referring to the biodiesel fuel standard ASTM D 6751. The value of these tests was then compared with the limit set by ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214 for the qualification on diesel-engine testing. Results obtained showed that the FAME produced has a saponification value of 197.80mgKOH/g, an iodine value of 58.29mgI2/100g, the kinematic viscosity of 5.06mm2/s, and moisture content of 0.0015% in the range of ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214 specifications.