Biodiesel Synthesis from Waste Cooking Oil using Heterogeneous Catalyst from Corncob Ash Impregnated with KOH

Abstract

Biodiesel was usually synthesized by transesterification with aid of a catalyst. In this research, corncob ash was utilized as a heterogeneous catalyst and treated waste cooking oil (TWCO) was used as the raw material. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of corncob ash impregnated with KOH as a heterogeneous catalyst in biodiesel synthesis. Prior to use, the corncob ash/KOH catalyst was calcined and characterized to determine its physical and chemical properties. Transesterification was carried out at 60°C for 3 hours. Effects of process variables, such as amount of catalyst, and methanol to TWCO molar ratio (MTR), were observed. The maximum yield of 96% biodiesel was obtained at MTR of 12:1 and 4% w/w catalyst. The obtained biodiesel was analyzed for its ester content, density, viscosity, and flash point. It was then compared to European standard EN 14214. The results confirmed that corncob ash/KOH was very suitable as heterogeneous catalyst in biodiesel synthesis.