Perengkahan Katalitik Palm Fatty Acid Distillate untuk Menghasilkan Biofuel Menggunakan Katalis Cu/Zeolit Alam

Abstract

Biofuel is an alternative energy resource processed from vegetable oil which can subtitute petroleum of which availability decreases and stays unrenewable. Biofuel can be produced through a catalytic cracking process of Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD). PFAD is a by-product of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) refinery, which has long hydrocarbon molecules and can be broken up into simple molecules. This research is aimed to reveal the process of producing biofuel of PFAD through a catalytic cracking process using a catalyst Cu/ Natural Zeolite and reveal the effects and the best condition of temperature variety and concentration of Cu on the yield of biofuel. The results show that the higher the temperature and the concentration of Cu works, the more likely biofuel yield increases. However, with the concentration of Cu 1.5% the yield of biofuel declines. The best condition is obtained at temperature of 420oC and 1% Cu concentration that produces the highest yield product and total fraction of biofuels was 79,43% dan 70,88%.