THE USE OF ASH OF PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES AS A SOURCE OF BASE CATALYST FOR SYNTHESIS OF BIODIESEL FROM PALM KERNEL OIL

An experiment for the use of ash of palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a source of base catalyst for biodiesel synthesis from palm kernel oil has been carried out. The procedure was started with metal content analysis by AAS and carbonate ions content by alkalinity test in the ash. The fatty acid composition of palm kernel oil was analyzed by GC-MS. A certain weight of the ash was immersed in the methanol to form potassium methoxide, and then was used in transesterification of palm kernel oil. With variation of methanol/oil molar ratio, percentage of the biodiesel conversion was determined by 1H NMR spectrometer and physical properties of biodiesel were determined using ASTM standard methods. The results showed that potassium content in the ash of palm EFB was 29.82 % w/w, and the carbonate ion content was 19.63 % w/w, the potassium might be in carbonate form. The biodiesel conversion increased with increasing of methanol/oil molar ratio. The optimum condition was reached at methanol/oil molar ratio = 12:1, that could give biodiesel conversion = 100.00 %, and the results of some physical properties were relatively conformed with biodiesel ASTM D 6751 specification.