DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSITION METAL BASED FAME HYDROGENATION CATALYST AND REACTOR

• Main Author: Bernardi, Patrick
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/81989
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Palm kernel oil can be processed and turned into fatty acid methyl ester or FAME. FAME itself can be improved by converting it into fatty alcohol (FAOH) through hydrogenation reaction. Previously, transition metal-based FAME hydrogenation catalyst has been developed for FAME hydrogenation in Lurgi process, with high pressure operating conditions. In this research, a transition metal-based FAME hydrogenation catalyst will be developed that can be used in the FAME hydrogenation process with the Davy process, under low pressure operating conditions, namely the Cu-Zn/Al2O3 catalyst. This research was conducted to obtain the formulation and synthesis procedure of Cu-Zn/Al2O3 catalyst using coprecipitation method. The catalysts were analyzed and characterized using XRF (x-ray fluorescence), XRD (x-ray diffraction), H2-TPR (hydrogen temperature programmed reduction), and nitrogen physisorption methods. FAME hydrogenation reaction using catalysts was carried out in a particle reactor, reaction products were analyzed using GC (gas chromatography) method and saponification number analysis. The catalyst synthesis was varied by changing the catalyst composition, Al precursor, and the placement of Al precursor during coprecipitation. Optimum operating conditions were evaluated by changing the reduction temperature, reduction duration, reaction temperature, and reaction duration. The synthesized catalyst that showed the highest activity was CZA-343-A-2 catalyst with 8.85% conversion and 5.02% FAOH yield. The catalyst has crystallinity, surface area, and average pore diameter of 80%, 23.9 m2/g, and 81.2 Å, respectively. Cu-Zn/Al2O3 catalyst was successfully synthesized by coprecipitation method using Cu(NO3)2.3H2O; Zn(NO3)2.6H2O; Al(NO3)3.9H2O; Al(OH)3 precursors. The best synthesized catalyst was synthesized using Al(OH)3 precursor dissolved in coprecipitation media. Optimum operating conditions with catalyst loading of 2 g and feed volume of 250 mL were achieved in the reduction at 3 bar pressure, 210 °C temperature for 8 hours with H2 rate of 5 mL/min, and reaction at 40 bar pressure, 240 °C temperature for 1 hour.