Abstract:
This study focused on the use of Maredan clays as a catalyst in the esterification reaction. Maredan clays have been activated by chemical and physical modification, with variation of sulfuric acid concentration (0,1; 0,2 and 0,3 M) and calcination at 500oC for 10 hours. Each samples were marked by acid concentration (LM01*, LM02* and LM03*). The sulfuric acid activated Maredan clay catalysts were tested in the esterification reaction using crude palm oil (CPO) under condition of mol ratio of CPO:methanol (1:24), weight of the catalyst 1, 3, 5 g, and reaction temperature 60, 65 and 70oC. Before performing esterification reaction the water content and free fatty acid (FFA) in CPO were determined. The water and FFA contents obtained were 0,86% and 4,13% respectively. The results showed that the highest conversion of FFA esterification process was 34,91% produced by LM03* catalyst at 60oC and 1 g of catalyst.
