Reusability of amberlyst CM-4 catalyst through continuous methanol washing with nitrogen gas in biodiesel production using lauric acid as feedstock
Anggara Dwita Burmana, Rondang Tambun, Bode Haryanto, Maya Sarah, Vikram Alexander
Abstract
In Indonesia, the biodiesel industry generates approximately 48–60 tons of solid waste annually using heterogeneous catalysts. The heterogeneous catalyst's reusability is essential to addressing the issue, notably the first reaction. This research develops Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst recycling using continuous methanol washing to be used multiple times in biodiesel production with lauric acid as feedstock. The research involves the esterification, washing, and drying sections connected using self-designed vessels. The Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst was continuously reacted and reused to monitor the biodiesel conversion level. Based on the results, the Scanning Electron Microscope provides the condition of the visible pores on the surface of the fresh and used catalyst. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red results detect both C–H bonds as part of styrene, and C C was obtained from ethane of the fresh and used catalyst that is the nature of Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller confirms the change in pore surface area for fresh and used catalysts. The results of the lauric acid and biodiesel components in the Gas Chromatography show major components of C 12 and C 14 . The recycling results show that the esterification reaction can be used up to 24th times in experiments obtained at a temperature of 80 °C and a molar ratio of 8:1. However, by the 25th experiment, the conversion was already below 80 %. The determination of the success of biodiesel production in this study is the conversion obtained ≥ 80 %. This refers to the catalyst manufacturer used in the industrial world to reduce biodiesel production costs. Hence, continuous washing of Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst using methanol could be applied in the biodiesel industry.