SYNTHESIS OF ZEOLITE Y FROM RICE HUSK ASH AS A CATALYST IN PALM KERNEL OIL TRANSESTERIFCATION FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

ABSTRACT This research investigates the modification of rice husk ash and its application as a catalyst in the transesterification of palm kernel oil to produce biodiesel. Rice husk ash, an amorphous aluminosilicate material derived from kaolinite, was subjected to various chemical treatments to enhance its catalytic properties for the transesterification process. These modifications aimed to improve the material’s effectiveness in facilitating the reaction, making it a viable option for sustainable biodiesel production. The transesterification reaction was carried out by combining palm kernel oil with methanol in the presence of the modified rice husk ash catalysts. To optimize biodiesel yield and conversion efficiency, key reaction parameters—such as catalyst loading, reaction temperature, and the molar ratio of methanol to oil—were systematically studied. The goal was to identify the conditions that maximize the production of high-quality biodiesel while maintaining efficiency and minimizing resource use. The physicochemical properties of the resulting biodiesel, including viscosity, density, flash point, and acid value, were thoroughly evaluated to ensure compliance with international biodiesel standards. The findings revealed that the chemical modifications significantly enhanced the catalytic activity of rice husk ash, leading to improved biodiesel yield and conversion efficiency. Optimal conditions were determined to be a Si/Al ratio of 3.4246, 75% water content, a 24-hour aging period, 7.5% rice husk ash, and 2.5% NaOH, yielding an experimental biodiesel production of 91.3% with a minor deviation of 0.881%.