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Novel Heterogeneous Catalyst For High Yield of Biodiesel From Non-edible Oils Zahira Yaakob, Manal Ismail, Lim Kean Long Background Biodiesel offers promising potential as alternative diesel engine fuels. However, the demand and cost of edible oils limits its use in the production of biodiesel. In this project, Jatropha Curcas has been used for biodiesel production using new heterogeneous catalyst, KOH/γ-Al2O3. Minimum separation process is needed using heterogeneous catalyst make it more economically viable as compared to currently used commercial homogenous catalyst.

The Jatropha based Biodiesel Has a flash point of 160 °C – 170 °C compared to 64 °C for fossil diesel Non-flammable and non-explosive Biodegradable and non toxic

The Plant

Does not emit sulphur compound

Jetropha curcas

lower level of carbon residue after combustion

 A drought resistant, perennial tree (4 – 5 meter height)  Ideally suited to green up the waste lands

The Catalyst Solid heterogeneous

 Production life of the plant is about 40 – 50 years

 Does not produce soaps through saponification

 starts giving fruit after 3rd year if proper care is taken after plantation

Non-corrosive

 Maturity and optimum production is generally attained by 5th year.  Each fruit contains 3 seeds weighing 600 – 700 mg/seed.

Ease of separation Produce higher yield of biodiesel

Applications

Methodology Biodiesel production by transesterification with heterogeneous catalyst Catalyst separation by physical filtration. Diesel-engine car “It is generally forgotten, that vegetable and animal oils can be used directly in diesel engine.” Rudolf Diesel Inventor of diesel engine in 1991. For further information, please contact:

UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA

National University of Malaysia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zahira Yaakob Dept of Chemical & Process Engineering Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, MALAYSIA Email: [email protected] Tel: 03-89216420 Fax: 03-89216148