Manufacturing Biodiesel from Cooking Oil Teaching Factory Products Using Bentonite Catalyst with Non-Alcohol Route Method

Abstract

This research investigates an eco-friendly approach to biodiesel production through non-alcoholic pathways using heterogeneous catalysts. The study examines various ratios of methyl acetate to cooking oil and temperatures, revealing that the optimal conditions for biodiesel production are a 1:4 ratio, utilizing a bentonite catalyst (0.75 g), operating at 60°C for 120 minutes. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirms the presence of ester groups, the primary component of biodiesel. Most biodiesel characteristics align with quality standards, including density (0.8844 kg/m3), cetane number (61.9), and acid number. However, the biodiesel flash point falls below the minimum standard, suggesting a potential area for improvement. This research underscores the potential of using methyl acetate as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production, with most biodiesel characteristics meeting established quality standards, although further work may be needed to address the flash point issue.