STUDY OF pH INFLUENCES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF Na-LOADED NbOPO4 SOLID ACID CATALYST FOR BIOFUEL PRODUCTION
Yuliana Sy (1), Nurhazanah (1), Arif Maulana (2), Mahidin (2), Husni Husin (2*)
1) Graduate School of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 23111
2) Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 23111
Abstract
This study reports on the development, preparation and performance test of NbOPO4 solid acid catalyst for biofuel production from vegetable oil. NbOPO4 catalyst was synthesized by sol-gel method using NbCl5, H2SO4, and citric acid as the precursor solutions and chellating agent, respectively. This solid acid catalyst was developed by combination with NaOH as an active phase to provide reaction sites and increase the surface area of the catalyst. Dependent variables in the study were calcination time of 5 h; NbOPO4 loading of 2%; transestrification time of 3 h; reaction temperature at 65-70 Celcius and oil mass of 30 g. Whereas, the catalyst pH of 2, 4, 6, 9, and Na impregnation ratio of 20-50% were set as independent variables. The crystalline morphology of catalyst was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, and X-Ray Difractometer was used to characterize crystallinity degree of the catalyst. The performance of the catalyst was evaluated from a transesterification reaction for biodiesel production. The highest biodiesel yield of 98,5% was obtained in the reaction using catalyst with pH of 4 and Na impregnation ratio of 30%. The density obtained was 0,860 gr/cm3 confirming that the produced biodiesel complies to the SNI standard.
Keywords: solid acid catalyst, biofuel, transesterification, Na/NbOPO4
Topic: Chemical Engineering