Effect of Process Parameters on Yield of Biofuel Production from Waste Virgin Coconut Oil

This research aimed to determine the influence of process parameters on yields of biofuel production by hydrocracking of waste virgin coconut oil using HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst and to determine statistical relationship of yields of biofuels with the parameters by Pearson’s correlation. The various operating parameters in batch reactor were a reaction temperature (350-400°C), an initial hydrogen pressure (20-40 bar), and a reaction time (1-3 h). The highest yields of gasoline (6.79 wt%) and kerosene (31.38 wt%) were achieved under a temperature at 400°C, initial hydrogen pressure at 40 bar, and a reaction time of 3 h. The highest yield of diesel of 58.62 wt% was achieved at a reaction time of 1 h under temperature 400°C and initial hydrogen pressure 40 bar. The experimental data were analyzed by input-output model with the coefficient of determination (R2) of yield prediction ranging from 0.86 to 0.92. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients show strong dependence of reaction temperature and time on hydrocarbon chains of various length. Yields of shorter hydrocarbon chains such as gasoline and kerosene required higher reaction temperature and longer reaction time and vice versa. Pressure dependence on yields of biofuels was insignificant