Synthesis of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester from Soybean Oil Using Electrolysis Enhanced by Treated Kaolinite as Catalyst

Abstract

The performance of treated kaolinite obtained from three types treatment that was calcination at 600 °C (K600), 800 °C (K800) and acid treated of K800 (KA800). All catalysts were tested for their catalytic activity via electrolysis process through (trans)esterification of soy bean oil at room temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was performed to characterize the microstructures and chemical properties of as-prepared treated kaolinite material. The effect of catalyst amount (2, 3 and 5 wt.%) was evaluated for the conversion of FAME from soybean oil and followed by GC-MS, determining of the purity of FAME at different operation variables. The result showed that for KA800 as catalyst, the FAME conversion was the highest as well as 18,85% at 3 wt.% catalyst of catalyst loading in the mixture, respectively.