Nama: Trisuciati Syahwardini

NIM: 1610247928

INTRODUCTION

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines produced by reacting oils derived from
plants or animal fats with alcohols such as methanol through transesterification reactions. The
advantages of biodiesel compared to diesel / diesel fuel are more environmentally friendly,
biodegradable, continuity of guaranteed, non-toxic raw material availability, resulting in fewer
harmful exhaust gases than diesel such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) carbon monoxide (CO), carbon
dioxide (CO2), unburned hydrocarbons and other carbon particles, and has a higher flash point
making it safer in handling and storage [Taufiq et al., 2011; Knothe et al., 2005].
Commonly used catalysts in the transesterification process are basic or acidic solutions
(such as KOH, NaOH, and H2SO4) and may be either homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts.
The use of homogeneous catalysts has several disadvantages such as the difficulty of separating
the catalyst from the product because the homogeneous catalyst is at the same phase as the
reactants and products, and the homogeneous catalyst cannot be reused after the reaction
[Helwani et al., 2009]. The basic homogeneous catalyst can react with free fatty acids to form
soap. The formation of this soap will complicate the separation of glycerol and will reduce the
yield of biodiesel. The acid catalyst can cause corrosion of the process tools and is toxic and
requires a long reaction time and requires a higher methanol and oil molar ratio [Taufiq et al.,
2011].
Such homogeneous catalysts can be replaced with heterogeneous catalysts that are more
environmentally friendly, more easily separable, and reusable. However, there is a limitation of
the use of heterogeneous catalysts, which have a slower reaction rate than homogeneous catalysts
and the surface surfaces of rapidly poisoned catalysts when exposed to the environment due to
reactions of CO2 and H2O on the surface of the site [Taufiq et al., 2011]. Thus, research on
heterogeneous catalysts is expected to be further developed.
In this research will be used heterogeneous catalyst in the form of NaNO3 / iron powder
with off grade palm raw material. The use of iron powder as a support is to facilitate the
separation of the catalyst because iron is ferromagnetic and iron powder can prevent the
formation of hydrogen bonds that can reduce the purity of glycerol and complicate the separating
process of biodiesel. Utilization of iron powder waste as catalyst support in biodiesel production
is still in the process of development so further research is needed.
Biodiesel production with heterogeneous catalyst was performed by Kumar et al., [2010]
using a solid catalyst Na / SiO2 in transesterification of castor oil with the aid of ultrasonic
radiation. Na source is obtained from NaOH which is then modified with SiO2. The yield of
biodiesel was obtained at 98.53% in the molar ratio of methanol: oil 9: 1; catalyst concentration
of 3% -b; and a reaction time of 15 minutes. The yields obtained in Kumar et al. very high with a
short time and molar ratio of methanol: small oil. But the drawback is the use of ultrasonic
radiation that is difficult in operation and will also burden the cost of production.
Taufiq et al., [2011] conducted research with raw material in the form of CPO with NaOH /
Al2O3 catalyst. Al2O3 that was impregnated with 50% -b NaOH and calcined for 3 hours was
the catalyst with the best catalytic activity. The obtained biodiesel yield reaches 99% at 60oC
reaction temperature, molar ratio of methanol: oil 15: 1, reaction time 3 hours, and catalyst 3% -
b. Indonesia is the largest CPO producer in the world, so it is potential as a producer of CPO-
based biodiesel. However, the use of CPO for biodiesel still faces many challenges that is
competing with the needs of food oil [Naluri et al., 2015]. Another disadvantage is the molar
ratio of methanol: high oil makes the cost of production will increase.
Making biodiesel using a heterogeneous catalyst is also done by Martinez et al., [2013] with raw
materials of sunflower oil. The heterogeneous catalyst is a NaX zeolite modified with Na2O by
impregnation and calcination processes. Biodiesel with maximum yield of 99.3% was obtained at
Na content in catalyst by 10%, reaction temperature 60oC, methanol molar ratio: oil 6: 1,
reaction time 6 hours, and catalyst concentration 10% -b. High yields but long reaction times and
the use of NaX synthesis zeolites require the initial treatment of calcination at 500 ° C for 10
hours before impregnation, requiring greater energy.
To overcome these problems, this research uses off grade palm oil with Na2O
heterogeneous catalyst from NaNO3 with Fe3O4 support from iron powder waste for
transesterification reaction. The operating conditions change in the ratio of methanol molar: oil,
reaction temperature, and catalyst concentration. It is expected that the separation of the catalyst
from the product will be easier and can increase the value of palm off grade and iron powder
waste.
REFERENCES

Helwani, Z., M.R. Othman, N. Aziz, J. Kim, dan W. J. N. Fernando, 2009, Solid Heterogeneus
Catalyst for Transesterification of Triglyerides with Methanol, Applied Catalysis A :
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Knothe, G., J.V. Gerpen, dan J. Krahl, 2005, The Biodiesel Handbook, AOCS Press, United
States of America.

Kumar, D., G. Kumar, Poonam, dan C.P. Singh, 2010, Ultrasonic-assisted Transesterification of
Jatropah Curcus Oil using Solid Catalyst, Na/SiO2, Ultrasonic Sonochemistry, 17, 839-844.

Martinez, S.L., R. Romero, R.Natividad, dan J.Gonzales, 2013, Optimation of Biodiesel

Production from Sunflower Oil by Transesterification using Na2O/NaX and Methanol,
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Naluri, A., H. Rionaldo, dan Z. Helwani, 2015 Sawit Off Grade sebagai Bahan Baku Alternatif
Pembuatan Biodiesel melalui Proses Dua Tahap menggunakan Katalis Zeolit Alam yang
Dimodifikasi, JOM FTeknik, 2, 2.

Taufiq, Y.H, N.F. Abdullah, dan M. Basri, 2011, Biodiesel Production via Transesterification of
Palm Oil using NaOH/Al2O3 Catalysts, Sains Malaysiana 40, 587-594.