palm oil

Development of Heterogeneous Alkali Methoxide Catalyst from Fly Ash and Limestone

This study is aimed to use fly ash and limestone as raw materials for preparing alkali methoxide heterogeneous catalysts for transesterification of palm oil into biodiesel. The heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized from fly ash and limestone through wet and dry methods and calcined within 1073–1273 K. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated the well-dispersed presence of the Ca(OCH3)2 crystal over the fly ash and limestone framework, which was mixed using wet method and calcined at 1073 K (W-800).

Degradation Oxirane Ring Kinetics of Epoxidized Palm Kernel Oil-Based Crude Oleic Acid

The epoxidation of oleic acid was carried out by using in situ generated performic acid (HCOOOH) to produce epoxidized oleic acid. Performic acid was formed by mixing formic acid (as oxygen carrier) and hydrogen peroxide (as oxygen donor). The epoxide ring is very reactive, especially in the presence of acidic condition making the epoxide a suitable intermediate for synthesis of other chemicals. The most likely side reaction that occurred in the in situ epoxidation is the reaction of oxirane ring with formic acid, which led to formation of diol and a-glycol as side products.