Performance of K2O/Nb2O5 as a heterogeneous catalyst for biofuel production
Firda Tirta Yani (a), Husni Husin(a,b*), Darmadi(a,b), Syaifullah Muhammad(a,b), Meisy Adrinda(b), Mawaddah Thifal(b)

(a)Doctoral Program, School of Engineering , Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia 23111
(b) Reaction Engineering and Catalysis Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia 23111
*husni_husin[at]che.unsyiah.ac.id

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate K2O/Nb2O5 as a new potential heterogeneous catalyst for biofuel production. The catalyst was prepared through an impregnation method using K2CO3 and Nb2O5. The K2O/Nb2O5 was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). XRD data indicated the presence of potassium on the diffractogram. The catalyst was tested for biodiesel production from palm oil. The catalyst loaded was varied of 2.0 -12.0wt.%. The highest yield of biodiesel was the reach of 96,78% at K2O loading of 50% on Nb2O3 and the catalyst loaded of 4 wt.% to oil. In the increasing of potassium loading on Nb2O3 shows increasing the activity of the catalysts. Potassium, as an active site, plays a vital role in the reaction of vegetable oil and methanol to produce biodiesel. Niobium was able to interact well with potassium, and it enhanced the crystallinity and stability of the catalyst. The characteristics of biodiesel, such as density, viscosity, acid number, and flash point, were evaluated to confirm the purpose of catalyst function. The biodiesel characterization showed in the range with SNI standard.

Keywords: Niobium, potassium, heterogeneous catalyst, biofuel, transesterification

Topic: Chemical Engineering