Optimization on Biodiesel Production from Chlorella sp through Trans-esterification Insitu assisted Microwave using acid catalyst
Donny Satria BHUANA, Lailatul QADARIYAH, Renova PANJAITAN, Mahfud MAHFUD*
Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
* mahfud[at]chem-eng.its.ac.id
Abstract
Microalgae is one of the potential raw materials in the manufacture of third generation biodiesel because of high lipids contents and not require large space for cultivation. In this study, Chlorella sp. chosen because of its high oil content of around 30% of the weight of dry algae. In this process the use of microwave irradiation can accelerate the in situ transesterification reaction by extracting microalgae lipids and simultaneously being converted to Methyl-Esters. The aims of this research is to study biodiesel (methyl ester) making through the Insitu trans-esterification process by studying the effect of acid catalyst concentration, microwave power and reaction time. The experiment was carried out in a 1000 ml flat bottom flask made of pyrex, with the influence of microwave irradiation and using a homogeneous sulfuric acid catalyst (H2SO4). Operating conditions at atmospheric pressure with operatings variables: catalyst concentration, microwave power and reaction time. To minimize the number of runs, the experiment was designed with response surface methodology using Box Behnken Design (3 factors and 2 levels). Oil and metyl ester extraction products were analyzed by GC-MS analysis. The results of the experiment showed that the yield of methyl esters increased with the length of extraction time, and was significantly affected by microwave power and catalyst concentration.
Keywords: Biodiesel, Metyl Ester, microalgae, Chlorella sp., Microwave, in situ transesterification.
Topic: Chemical Engineering