Janviter Manalu, Ilham Salim, Himawan, Janed Sriwati Labagai, Adi Mara, Deni Fajar Fitriyana, Samsudin Anis, Rozanna Dewi, Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Heri Yudiono, Nurharniza Abdul Rahman
The transesterification of waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel was performed using a modified clay catalyst. The catalyst was synthesized by treating Merauke clay with an 8M HCl solution for dealumination, then fused NaOH pellets at a NaOH-to-clay ratio of 0.8. The solution was then adjusted to a pH of 11.5 and underwent hydrothermal treatment at 140°C for 48 hours. The dealumination process was characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), while surface area analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to investigate the properties of the resulting zeolite. Transesterification reactions were carried out at temperatures of 55°C, 65°C, 75°C, and 85°C, with a catalyst-to-waste cooking oil-to-methanol ratio of 1.0:20.0:13.3, and a reaction time of 6 hours. The liquid samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The XRF analysis revealed that the dealumination process resulted in a clay composition consisting of 34.77% silicon and 5.67% aluminum. The modified clay (MC) exhibited a surface area of 5.5685 m²/g, a pore volume of 0.0126 cm³/g, and a pore diameter of 8.871 nm. XRD analysis showed a significant change in the mineral composition, with gismondine recognized as the predominant phase. During the transesterification process, increasing the temperature did not lead to the highest conversion. The optimal conversion of 85 wt% to methyl ester was achieved at 65°C. © 2025, International Association of Engineers. All rights reserved.
Natural Resources and Environment Study Program, Universitas of Cenderawasih, Jayapura, Indonesia; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Cenderawasih, Jayapura, Indonesia; Universitas Negeri Semarang, 50229, Indonesia; Chemical Engineering, Malikussaleh University, Aceh, Lhokseumawe, 24353, Indonesia; Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Malaysia; Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying at INTI International University, Malaysia
