Production of Biodiesel from Crude Pittosporum resiniferum Oil Using Heterogeneous Solid Base Catalyst

Abstract

Pittosporum resiniferum oil was extracted from the seed and the oil together with methanol was use for the production of biodiesel through transesterification process using novel solid base catalyst (K2CO3 supported on MgO). 0.6:5 (K2CO3 loaded on MgO), a 5 h calcination time, 600°C calcination temperatures were the optimum conditions under which the catalyst was prepared. FTIR, SEM, CO2‐TPD, XRD, N2 adsorption‐desorption, Hammett indicators and other techniques were used to characterize the catalyst. The molar ratio of methanol‐to‐oil, the catalyst amount, time of the reaction as well as the temperature of the reaction were examined. The study found that 16:1 methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio, 5% catalyst loading amount, a reaction time of 2.0 h, and a reaction temperature of 60°C were sufficient for a maximum yield of 97.4%. With relative high activity, the catalyst can perhaps be used again possibly for five times. The characteristics of the biodiesel produced were consistent with international standards.