Sustainable production of CaO rich-indigofera (Indigofera zollingeriana) as heterogeneous catalyst of biodiesel from refined bleached deodorized palm olein using associated transesterification process

Abstract

Biodiesel as an environmentally friendly alternative fuel is produced by considering the best operating conditions with the help of a catalyst to increase biodiesel yield. This study aims to apply the potential of indigofera leaves ash ( Indigofera zollingeriana ) as a heterogeneous catalyst sourced from biomass as an environmentally friendly solution in producing biodiesel from refined bleached deodorized palm olein. The novelty of this research is utilizing local renewable biomass as a green catalyst, minimizing alcohol usage for safer, sustainable biodiesel production while maintaining yield, and employing refined bleached deodorized palm olein (RBDPO) with a leaves-based catalyst not previously reported. This study is significant because it supports the development of renewable catalyst technologies that align with green chemistry principles and can potentially improve the efficiency of biodiesel production. The research stages include making an indigofera leaves ash catalyst and the transesterification procedure. Indigofera leaves ash with a particle size passing a 100-mesh sieve is calcined using furnace at temperature of 700 °C for 3 h. The biodiesel transesterification stage involves RBDPO heated at various temperatures of 55, 60, and 65°C, methanol is added with methanol to oil molar ratio of 6:1, 9:1, and 12:1 (v/v), and a catalyst of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% (%w). The reaction was carried out with a magnetic stirrer stirring at 300 rpm for 90, 120, 150, and 180 min. Based on the results of the study, the highest biodiesel yield was obtained at 94.20% at a temperature of calcination of 700 °C, 3% percentage of catalyst, temperature of reaction of 60 °C, a molar ratio of methanol: oil of 9:1, and a reaction time of 120 min. Analysis using gas chromatography on the significant composition of RBDPO fatty acids and biodiesel, namely oleic acid and palmitic acid. Based on the analysis using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform Infra-Red, it was confirmed that a calcium component was the target in indigofera leaves ash. Based on the analysis using Brunner Emmet Teller–Barrett-Joyner-Halenda, the surface area was 9.318 m 2 /g, the pore volume was 0.047 cc/g, and the pore size was 144.70 Å on the indigofera leaves ash catalyst. Therefore, the indigofea leaves ash catalyst can be apply in sustainable biodiesel production.

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