#TITLE_ALTERNATIVE#

• Main Author: ODE ABDUL KUDUS (NIM 13000029), LA
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/10789
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Clays have already been recognized as potential catalysts due to acidity they have. This degree of acidity could be increased through activating process using acid solution or acid metal. After being activated, clays would have better characteristic to be used as heterogeneous acid catalysts. Clay catalysts are mostly preferred for their cheaper prices, longer life-cycle, and environmentally-friendly charasteristic. Acid clay catalysts are very often used as catalysts in organic compounds reactions. One of these reactions is esterification reaction of free fatty acid into methyl-ester.<p> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The research was aimed at exploring preparation techniques of heterogeneous acid catalysts for biodiesel synthesis with clays as raw material. The focus of the research was the procedures of clays catalysts activation.<p> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The clays used were those of montmorillonite type. Clays activation was carried out through two methods, i.e. acidification using H2SO4 solution and pillarisation using AlCl3.nH2O solution. Esterification reactions were held by reacting PFAD (Palm Fatty Acid Distillate) with methanol at varied temperatures of 55 degrees C, 65 degrees C and 75 degrees C. The activity of catalysts was measured from PFAD conversion reached, while their characteristics of acidity and spesific surface area were measured using titration method and N2 adsorption.<p> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The results of the research suggested that activation using acidification method gave higher conversion of PFAD rather than that of pillarisation technique. The maximum PFAD conversion reached was 55,4%. Both activating methods increased specific surface area of clays up to the highest value of 97,197 mm2/gr.