The Importance of Used Cooking Oil in Biodiesel Production

Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 91 views

Making Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil with Heterogeneous Catalysts Originating from Corn Cob Ash with KOH Impregnation: The Effect of Catalyst Weight and Reaction Temperature

Introduction

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is increasingly popular as a substitute for conventional diesel fuel. Made from alkyl monoester derived from vegetable oil or animal fat, biodiesel offers environmentally friendly solutions. This study focuses on the use of used cooking oil (Waste Cooking Oil/WCO) in the process of making biodiesel. In this study, SiO2 catalysts were used from corn cobs that had gone through an impregnation process with KOH. The corn cob calcination process is carried out at 700 ° C for three hours before it is impregnated with KOH in the molar ratio 2: 1.

The Importance of Used Cooking Oil in Biodiesel Production

Used cooking oil (WCO) is a waste product that can be converted into biodiesel, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional diesel fuel. The use of WCO in biodiesel production not only reduces waste but also provides a valuable source of energy. In this study, the WCO was treated using activated carbon to reduce the free fatty acid levels (FFA) from 1.24% to 0.5%. This treatment is crucial in ensuring the quality of the raw materials, which in turn affects the final biodiesel results.

The Role of Heterogeneous Catalysts in Biodiesel Production

Heterogeneous catalysts play a crucial role in the transesterification process of biodiesel production. In this study, SiO2 catalysts were used from corn cobs that had gone through an impregnation process with KOH. The use of corn cob ash as a source of SiO2 shows great potential to recycle agricultural waste into high-value products. The catalyst functions to speed up the reaction without being involved permanently, making it an essential component in the biodiesel production process.

The Effect of Catalyst Weight and Reaction Temperature on Biodiesel Production

The variation of the catalyst weight used was 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. In addition, the reaction temperature tested was 55 ° C, 60 ° C, and 65 ° C. The best results obtained were the maximum biodiesel yield of 97.87% and the conversion reaches 99.77%. The optimum condition to achieve this result was the Molar Twco ratio to methanol by 1:12, the catalyst weight was 3%, the reaction time for three hours, with stirring at 60 ° C.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

The process of making biodiesel from WCO shows how important the selection of raw materials and appropriate reaction conditions. The use of WCO as raw material not only reduces waste, but also provides alternative energy sources that are more sustainable. In addition, the selection of the right catalyst, in this case uses SiO2 from corn cobs, makes a significant contribution to the efficiency of the transesterification process.

The catalyst functions to speed up the reaction without being involved permanently. The effect of catalyst weight and reaction temperature is very important in determining the efficiency of biodiesel production. This study found that the use of catalyst weight 3% at 60 ° C gave the best results. This shows that there is a balance between the number of catalysts used and reaction conditions. If too little catalyst, the reaction may not run optimally, whereas if too much, there is no significant effect that will be obtained.

Conclusion

Through this kind of research, we can see how innovation in raw material processing technology can provide solutions to waste problems and energy needs. The biodiesel process of WCO not only adds value to waste, but also opens new opportunities in creating clean and sustainable alternative energy sources. The use of corn cob ash as a source of SiO2 shows great potential to recycle agricultural waste into high-value products. With this research, it is hoped that there will be further development in more efficient and environmentally friendly biodiesel production, as well as making a positive contribution to energy sustainability in Indonesia.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research should be conducted to optimize the catalyst weight and reaction temperature for biodiesel production.
The use of corn cob ash as a source of SiO2 should be explored further to recycle agricultural waste into high-value products.
The biodiesel process of WCO should be scaled up to commercial levels to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional diesel fuel.

Future Directions

The findings of this study have significant implications for the development of sustainable energy sources. The use of WCO in biodiesel production provides a valuable source of energy while reducing waste. The use of corn cob ash as a source of SiO2 shows great potential to recycle agricultural waste into high-value products. Further research should be conducted to optimize the catalyst weight and reaction temperature for biodiesel production, as well as to scale up the biodiesel process of WCO to commercial levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Making Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil with Heterogeneous Catalysts Originating from Corn Cob Ash with KOH Impregnation

Q: What is biodiesel and why is it important?

A: Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is made from vegetable oil or animal fat. It is a cleaner-burning fuel that can be used in place of conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel is important because it provides a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and can help to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Q: What is the process of making biodiesel from used cooking oil?

A: The process of making biodiesel from used cooking oil involves several steps, including:

Collecting and processing the used cooking oil
Treating the used cooking oil with activated carbon to reduce the free fatty acid levels
Converting the treated used cooking oil into biodiesel using a heterogeneous catalyst
Purifying the biodiesel to remove impurities

Q: What is the role of heterogeneous catalysts in biodiesel production?

A: Heterogeneous catalysts play a crucial role in the transesterification process of biodiesel production. They speed up the reaction without being involved permanently, making it an essential component in the biodiesel production process.

Q: What is the significance of using corn cob ash as a source of SiO2 in biodiesel production?

A: The use of corn cob ash as a source of SiO2 shows great potential to recycle agricultural waste into high-value products. This can help to reduce waste and provide a sustainable source of energy.

Q: What are the effects of catalyst weight and reaction temperature on biodiesel production?

A: The variation of the catalyst weight used was 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. In addition, the reaction temperature tested was 55 ° C, 60 ° C, and 65 ° C. The best results obtained were the maximum biodiesel yield of 97.87% and the conversion reaches 99.77%.

Q: What are the benefits of using biodiesel from used cooking oil?

A: The benefits of using biodiesel from used cooking oil include:

Reducing waste and providing a sustainable source of energy
Providing a cleaner-burning fuel that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Reducing our dependence on foreign oil
Creating new economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities

Q: What are the challenges of making biodiesel from used cooking oil?

A: The challenges of making biodiesel from used cooking oil include:

Ensuring the quality of the raw materials
Optimizing the catalyst weight and reaction temperature for biodiesel production
Scaling up the biodiesel process to commercial levels

Q: What are the future directions for biodiesel production from used cooking oil?

A: The future directions for biodiesel production from used cooking oil include:

Further research to optimize the catalyst weight and reaction temperature for biodiesel production
Scaling up the biodiesel process to commercial levels
Exploring new sources of raw materials and catalysts
Developing new technologies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of biodiesel production.