Natural zeolite from Pacitan Indonesia, as catalyst support palm oil

The transesterification of palm oil to methyl esters (biodiesel) was studied using KOH/zeolite as solid heterogeneous catalysts. Various process variables such as KOH concentration and reaction time were studied in order to obtain maximum yield of biodiesel. A series of KOH/zeolite catalyst was prepared by impregnation of zeolite from Pacitan with potassium hydroxide in a various concentration (25 g KOH in 100 mL of distilled water; 50 g KOH in 100 mL of distilled water; 75 g in 100 mL of distilled water; and 100 g in 100 mL of distilled water). The weight ratios between zeolite and KOH solution were 1:4. Transesterification was carried out at various reaction times (1 to 4 h). The impregnation of zeolite with KOH concentration of 100 g/100 mL gave maximum yield of biodiesel. The natural zeolite, catalyst, and spent catalysts were characterised by using several techniques such as XRD, EDX, and SEM. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.