The effects of durian skin ash concentration in methanolysis reaction of palm oil on fatty acid methyl esters concentration

Abstract

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made by methanolysis reaction of palm oil. Methanolysis reactions require a catalyst to accelerate the biodiesel formation reaction. The catalyst used in this study was the durian skin ash. This study was conducted to determine the effect of durian skin ash concentration on fatty acid methyl ester content that result in the reaction of palm oil methanolysis. Durian skin ash concentrations were varied to 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%. The methanolysis reaction was carried out by mixing palm oil, methanol and the ash of calcined durian skin at a temperature of 800°C for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was heated at a temperature of 50 to 70°C for 2 hours. The results of this study showed that the fatty acid methyl esters content increased with the concentration of durian skin ash up to 4% i.e. 90.03%. Fatty acid methyl esters content decreased on the durian skin ash concentration of 5% i.e. 85.66%. These results indicate that the fatty acid methyl esters reached the optimum content in 4% concentration of durian skin ash.