Sintesis Metil Ester Minyak Kelapa Sawit pada Variasi Berat Katalis Abu Kulit Kakao dan Kecepatan Pengadukan Menggunakan Alat Pendispersi Homogen

Abstract

Methyl ester from palm oil have been synthesized through a transesterification reaction using cacao shell ash as a heterogeneous catalyst. Cocoa shell powder was analyzed using TGA, then calcined at 750oC for 4 hours,then the ash obtained was analyzed with XRF, XRD, FT-IR Spectrophotometer, and SEM. The main component of the compound contained in the ash of the cacao shell is K2O with the largest content of 88,81%.The parameters examined this study were variations of catalyst weight (3%, 5%, 7%, 12%, 15%, 17%) (w/w) and the rational speed of homogenizer (3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000) (rpm) molar ratio of palm oil to methanol 1:!5, and reaction time of 20 minutes. The conversion of methyl ester was analyzed by gas chromatography and the change functional groups from oil to methyl ester was determined by FT-IR spectrophotometer.The highest conversion and yield methyl ester for variations catalyst weight was obtained 97,12 ± 0,82% and 95,71± 1,83% at catalyst weight 17% w/w, molar rasio 1:15, rational speed of 6000 rpm, and reaction time of 20 minutes. The highest conversion and yield methyl ester for variations in rational speed was obtained 96,19 ± 0,24% and 96,12 ± 2,01% at rational speed of 6000 rpm, molar rasio 1:15, catalyst weight 7% w/w, and reaction time of 20 minutes The formation of the methyl ester is characterized by a difference in the shape of the stretching vibration peak –C-O-C at a wave number of 1300-1000 cm-1 where the srongest absorption palm oil of the 3 peaks is in the second position (middle) while the methyl ester spectra the strongest absorption appears in the far right position.