The Potential of Potassium Loaded Gamma Alumina from Kaolin as a Solid Base Catalyst for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

The investigation on enhancing the activity of single promoted catalyst, K2O/ɣ-alumina, for transesterification reactions has been carried out. The K2O was first precipitated from KNO3, the gamma alumina was impregnated with potassium ions and subsequently CaO sorption was carried out. Calcination time was observed while the temperature was closely monitored by a locally fabricated 3liter capacity reactor coupled with a reflux and a thermometer. BET and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the catalyst. The transesterification reaction proceeded between waste oil and methanol on the prepared catalyst. After optimization of a 6hours reflux process, 40% KNO3 was required at 50oC. However at 590oC of a 6hours heating of the alumina, the methanol: waste oil ratio of 25:1 was observed at the molar scale. The catalyst can be classified as a double promoted catalyst. The double promoted catalyst show a brilliant potential compared to results reported on single promoted catalysts.