Abstract:
Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is made from refining crude palm oil. During this PFAD untapped well as alternative fuel feedstock. PFAD potential to produce liquid alkanes by catalytic cracking process because it has a long hydrocarbon chain. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of temperature and catalyst weight ratio of Ni/Zeolite: PFAD to yield products resulting in cracking PFAD into liquid alkanes. Cracking catalyst Ni/Zeolite produce liquid alkanes using STR reactor (Stirred Tank Reactor). Inserted in the reactor feed 200 grams and N2 gas with a flow rate of 300 ml/min. Cracking process carried out at the temperature 350oC, 360oC and 370oC, the weight ratio of the catalyst Ni/Zeolite: PFAD 1/100, 2/100 and 3/100 cracking process carried out for 120 minutes. Catalyst Ni/Zeolite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed metallic Ni catalyst characterization has been impregnated. From the results obtained yield alkane cracking reaction at a temperature of 370oC with the highest ratio of catalyst Ni/Zeolite:ALSD 3/100 by 50.09%. The results of the physical characteristics of the products obtained density of 0.84 g/ml, the viscosity of 0.84 mm2/s, the flash point 38oC and calorific value of 42.70 MJ/kg. The result were analyzed by the method of cracking GCMS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectra), from the analysis of known producing liquid alkane diesel dominant faction.
