title: Imperata cylindrica sp as Novel Silica-Based Heterogeneous Catalysts for Transesterification of Palm Oil Mill Sludge.
abstract: Biodiesel from palm oil mill sludge (POMS) was prepared in the presence of novel silica-based heterogeneous catalysts derived from Imperata cylindrica sp. Imperatacid and Imperatabase are two types of heterogeneous catalysts derived from Imperata cylindrica sp and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and pore size measurement. Imperatacid has particle size of 43.1-83.9 µm while Imperatabase in the range of 89-193 µm. Imperatacid was conveniently applied in esterification step to afford > 90 wt% oil in 1:3 (oil/methanol) and 10 wt% catalyst, followed by transesterification with 1 wt% Imperatabase and 1:1 (oil/methanol) for 1 h at 65°C to afford 80% biodiesel with higher percentage of methyl palmitate (48.97%) and methyl oleate (34.14%) compare to conventional homogeneous catalyst. Reusability of the catalyst up to three times afforded biodiesel ranging from 78-80% w/w. The biodiesel was demonstrated onto alternative diesel engine (Megatech(®)-Mark III) and showed proportional increased of torque (ɽ) to biodiesel loading.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
authors.forename: Zainab
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ngaini
authors.forename: Farra Diana
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Shahrom
authors.forename: Nurfarahen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.forename: Rafeah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wahi
authors.forename: Zainal Abiddin
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D002384:Catalysis; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D012722:Sewage; D000073878:Palm Oil; D012822:Silicon Dioxide