Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 27 No 6 (2023): 1192 - 1204

TRANSESTERIFICATION OF LOW-GRADE PALM COOKING OIL TO PRODUCE BIODIESEL USING SPENT BLEACHING CLAY CATALYSTS

(Transesterifikasi Minyak Masak Kelapa Sawit Gred Rendah Kepada Biodiesel Menggunakan Pemangkin Tanah Pemutih Terpakai)

Thivya Keasavan¹, Nurhannani Mohd Radzi¹, Wan Nazwanie Wan Abdullah^1*, Salmiah Jamal Mat Rosid², Nurasmat Mohd Shukri³, and Noorfatimah Yahaya⁴

¹School of Chemical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.

²Unisza Science and Medicine Foundation Centre, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kampus Gong Badak, 21300, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

³School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

⁴Department of Toxicology, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200, Bertam Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.

^*Corresponding author: wanazwanie@usm.my

Received: 15 June 2023; Accepted: 15 October 2023; Published: 29 December 2023

Abstract

In this study, spent bleaching clay doped with potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide (SBC/KOH and SBC/NaOH) were used as catalysts in the transesterification process of low-grade cooking oil to produce biodiesel. The physicochemical properties of the catalyst were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Field Emission Scanning Electron microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX). Several parameters including the types of catalyst, calcination temperature of the catalyst, catalyst dosage, ratio of oil to methanol, reaction time, and reaction temperature were used to determine the optimal conditions for the transesterification reaction. According to the experimental findings, the catalyst effectively converted free fatty acids (FFA) into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). The maximum biodiesel yield of 47.66 % was obtained at optimum reaction conditions: catalyst amount 2 wt.% of SBE/KOH calcined at 500 °C (SBC/KOH 500), reaction time 2 h, reaction temperature 55 °C and oil to methanol molar ratio 1:20.

Keywords: clay, cooking oil, biodiesel, transesterification, catalyst

Abstrak

Dalam kajian ini, tanah liat peluntur bekas yang didop dengan kalium hidroksida dan natrium hidroksida (SBC/KOH dan SBC/NaOH) digunakan sebagai mangkin dalam proses transesterifikasi minyak masak gred rendah untuk menghasilkan biodiesel. Sifat fizikokimia mangkin dikaji menggunakan spektroskopi inframerah transformasi Fourier (FTIR), analisis termogravimetrik (TGA), pembelauan sinar-X (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), dan mikroskop elektron pengimbasan pancaran medan dengan serakan tenaga sinar-X (FESEM-EDX). Beberapa parameter termasuk jenis mangkin, suhu pengkalsinan mangkin, dos mangkin, nisbah minyak kepada metanol, masa tindak balas, dan suhu tindak balas telah digunakan untuk menentukan keadaan optimum bagi tindak balas transesterifikasi. Menurut penemuan eksperimen, mangkin secara berkesan menukar asid lemak bebas (FFA) kepada asid lemak metil ester (FAMEs). Hasil biodiesel maksimum sebanyak 47.66 % diperoleh pada keadaan tindak balas optimum: jumlah mangkin 2 wt.% SBE/KOH dikalsinkan pada 500 °C (SBC/KOH 500), masa tindak balas 2 jam, suhu tindak balas 55 °C dan minyak kepada metanol nisbah molar 1:20.

Kata kunci: tanah liat, minyak masak, biodiesel, transesterifikasi, mangkin

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