Biodiesel production from rubber seed oil using activated cement clinker as catalyst

Jolius Gimbun, Shahid Ali, Chitra Charan Suri Charan Kanwal, Liyana Amer Shah, Nurul Hidayah, Chin Kui Cheng, Said Nurdin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents the potential of limestone based catalyst for transesterification of high free fatty acid (FFA) rubber seed oil (RSO). Pre-calcinated limestone known as clinker was activated using methanol and transesterification was performed under reflux with constant stirring. Mineral composition of the catalyst was analysed using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) with in build x-ray diffraction (XRD). The rubber seed oil was obtained using both microwave and soxhlet extraction using hexane as solvent. FFA content and fatty acid methyl ester content were determined using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed an efficient conversion (up to 96.9%) of high FFA rubber seed oil to biodiesel. The results suggest that the catalyst employed in this work is not negatively affected by moisture and free fatty acids and can be recycled very easily without significant loss in its activity. The highest conversion of 96.9% was achieved from catalyst activated at 700°C, with catalyst loading of 5 wt. %; methanol to oil molar ratio of 4:1; reaction temperature of 65°C and reaction time of 4 hours. The biodiesel produced in this work is within the limits of specification described by American standard test method (ASTM D6751).

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationMalaysian Technical Universities Conference on Engineering and Technology 2012, MUCET 2012
PublisherElsevier Ltd
Pages13-19
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9781627486347
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event2012 Malaysian Technical Universities Conference on Engineering and Technology, MUCET 2012 - Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia
Duration: 20 Nov 201221 Nov 2012

Publication series

NameProcedia Engineering
Volume53
ISSN (Print)1877-7058

Conference

Conference2012 Malaysian Technical Universities Conference on Engineering and Technology, MUCET 2012
Country/TerritoryMalaysia
CityKangar, Perlis
Period20/11/1221/11/12

Keywords

  • Clinker
  • Microwave
  • Rubber seed oil

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Biodiesel production from rubber seed oil using activated cement clinker as catalyst'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this