Biodiesel Production over Potassium Activated Carbon Supported Solid-Based Catalyst
Fahrizal Nasution(a), Husni Husin(a,b*), Mahidin(a,b), Nurhazanah(b), Komala Pontas(1), Muhammad Rezeki Koto(b), Khairul Ikhsan(b)

(a)Department of Chemical 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
(c) Ministry of Industry of Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
*husni_husin[at]che.unsyiah.ac.id

Abstract

Catalytic biodiesel production from vegetable oil and methanol using K2O/C has been studied. The carbon-based from rice husk were fabricated via the pyrolysis route. The catalysts were formed by depositing K2CO3 on the carbon surface. The percentages of active K2CO3 (10%; 20%; 30%; 40%; 50%) for comparative purposes. To better understand the impregnation effects, particle size, surface topography, and atom composition, the catalysts were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD). Biodiesel was produced via the transesterification . The reaction was carried out during 90 minutes at 65 degree C using 4wt% of the catalyst and methanol to oil molar ratio 10:1. The highest yield of biodiesel was reached of 95,42% at a K2O loading of 50% on carbon-based rice husk. The use of carbon-based (K2O/C) as catalysts enhance the purity of the product (carbon-based effect). The characterization of biodiesel, such as viscosity, density, flash point, and acid number, was evaluated to confirm the purpose of catalyst function. The biodiesel characterization showed in the range with SNI standard.

Keywords: solid catalyst, carbon, rice husk, biodiesel

Topic: Chemical Engineering