Natural zeolite from Pacitan Indonesia, as catalyst support for transesterification of palm oil

The transesterification of palm oil to methyl esters (biodiesel) was studied using KOH/zeolite as solid heterogeneous catalysts. Various process variables such as KOH concentration and reaction time were studied in order to obtain maximum yield of biodiesel. A series of KOH/zeolite catalyst was prepared by impregnation of zeolite from Pacitan with potassium hydroxide in a various concentration (25 g KOH in 100 mL of distilled water; 50 g KOH in 100 mL of distilled water; 75 g in 100 mL of distilled water; and 100 g in 100 mL of distilled water). The weight ratios between zeolite and KOH solution were 1:4. Transesterification was carried out at various reaction times (1 to 4 h). The impregnation of zeolite with KOH concentration of 100 g/100 mL gave maximum yield of biodiesel. The natural zeolite, catalyst, and spent catalysts were characterised by using several techniques such as XRD, EDX, and SEM.