Synthesis and characterization of alumina supported coconut chaff catalyst for biodiesel production from waste frying oil

Abstract

An alumina supported coconut chaff (ASCC) was prepared by the impregnation method, characterized, and used as a catalyst for biodiesel production from waste frying oil (WFO). The effects of factors affecting the biodiesel production process, reaction temperature, reaction time, catalyst loading, and methanol/WFO molar ratio at a fixed stirring speed of 250 rpm, were investigated. The result obtained revealed that at 65 °C reaction temperature, 2.5 h reaction time, 1.5 wt% catalyst loading and 12:1 methanol/WFO molar ratio, the biodiesel yield was 91.05 wt%. The stability test showed that the ASCC catalyst could be reused up to five times. Keywords: Biodiesel, Coconut chaff, Catalyst, Transesterification, Waste frying oil