Abstract:
The transesterification of palm olein to fatty acid methyl esters was studied using
NaOH/ZnO catalyst. The catalyst was prepared by impregnation with the loading of NaOH 25%
w/w NaOH on ZnO calcined at 600 •c for 6 hours. Biodiesel samples were first analyzed using
gas chromatography according to ASTM methods. The influence of reaction temperature and
reaction time on transesterification was examined. Optimum reaction condition was achieved at
reflux of methanol (65°C K) for about 120 minute. The conversion of vegetable oil was found to
be 99.7%. A reducible catalyst was also studied. The catalyst showed high activity, with oil
conversion being obtained under mild conditions (reflux temperature of methanol).
