Transesterification of Soybean Oil Using KOH/KL Zeolite and Ca/Undaria Pinnatifida Char

Solid base catalysts for biodiesel production were synthesized by impregnating basic metal species on two support materials with large specific surface area: zeolite and pyrolysis char. KL zeolite and Undaria pinnatifida char were impregnated with KOH aqueous solution and calcium nitrate solution, respectively, to enhance the basic strength. The catalysts synthesized were characterized using Hammett indicators and CO₂-TPD analysis. Biodiesel was produced using soybean oil and methanol over the catalysts synthesized. The content of fatty acid methyl esters was measured to evaluate the catalytic activity. Generally, the catalytic activity increased with increasing quantity of basic metal impregnated but impregnation of excessive amount of metal could cause reduction in the activity.