Catalytic Efficiency of Ball-milled CaO catalyst for Biodiesel Production Using Crude Palm Stearin
Frisda R. Panjaitan*, Bagus Giri Yudanto, Brahmani Dewa Bajra, Manda Edy Mulyono, Ilmi Fadhilah Rizki, Mulki Salendra Kusumah

Post Harvest Technology, Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute, Jl. Brigjend Katamso No. 51, Medan 20158, Indonesia

Abstract

Dry nano-grinding process assisted with 2-propanol increased the specific surface area of CaO. The process changes its structure as determined by XRD, FTIR, DG/TGA, and SEM. 2-propanol generates specific surface area via attrition with improved flowability by surface species shielding during grinding process. 2-propanol is adsorbed on particles surface during the nano-grinding resulted in surface species on the CaO surface which increased the basicity of CaO catalyst and also developed hydrophobic and hydrophilic sites on CaO surfaces. The CaO catalyst was found to be effective in catalyzing the transesterification of crude palm stearin, with the optimal catalyst producing a 95 % ester yield after 20 mins of reaction. The activity of CaO catalyst were not affected by 3,6 % of FFA and 0.11 wt% of moisture contained by the crude palm stearin. Biodiesel produced by this process fulfill the ASTM D6751 standard biodiesel requirement. This research shows a potential of CaO catalyst for biodiesel production using crude palm stearin.

Keywords: Ball mill, Biodiesel, CaO catalyst, Crude palm stearin, Specific surface area

Topic: Renewable energy and biorefinery