Upgrading Crude Biodiesel of Used Cooking Oil using H-Zeolite Catalyst

Abstract

Crude biodiesel from transesterification of used cooking oil can be improved in quality through catalytic cracking using natural zeolite. This study aims to determine the optimum conditions for catalytic cracking and the physical and chemical properties of biofuels produced. The reaction was carried out in the reactor by varying the time (1, 2 and 3 hours), catalyst concentration (3, 5 and 7%), catalyst particle size (180, 250 and 630 μm) and reaction temperature (325, 350 and 375°C) . The optimum conditions for the catalytic cracking crude biodiesel process were obtained at: 3 hours, 7% catalyst concentration, catalyst particle size 180 μm and reaction temperature 375 ° C. The resulting biofuel contains 6.26% gasoline fraction (C5-C11 ); 17.6% kerosene (C12-C1 5), 47.73% biodiesel (C16-C20 ) and fatty acids 28.4%. Physical properties analysis showed density of 0.9631g/mL, pour point 12°C, flash point 49°C and octane number 72.6.