Effect of reaction time in transesterification for biodiesel production using calcium oxide support on aluminium oxide as catalyst / Hanis Hatasha Ayub

Biodiesel fuel is promising source to replace diesel fuel that can be produced
transesterification process. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of
transesterification time to the percentage yield of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)
formed. Calcium oxide support on aluminium oxide, heterogeneous base catalyst is
used to carry out transesterification process. The transesterification process is carried
out in a condition at 65°C reaction temperature, 2g catalyst and 9:1 methanol to oil
ratio. The different reaction time shows significant value in the percentage yield. The
time varied from three hour to seven hour. Highest production of FAME is found at
five hours which gives out 63%. The catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform
infrared (FTIR.) and Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). FTIR.
result for calcium oxide show band at 946.68cm-1 indicates the existence of
carbonate species and band at 667.26cm-1 for Al2O3 spectrum represent stretching
vibration of alumina. Agglomeration of CaD and Al2O3 can be seen at band
595.38cm-1for Ca-O-Al. FESEM result show the agglomeration of catalyst after
calcined. The types of fatty acid presence in the rubber seed oil is analyse using gas
chromatography mass spectra resulting four types of fatty acid found during the
analysis. The fatty acids found are palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid and
linolenic acid. Therefore, Cao/Al2O3 showed a good catalytic characteristic which
produced high percentage of FAME.