2020 Biodiesel from NiSO4 and rice husk ash
Abstract
As one of the promising feedstocks for the development of biodiesel, palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) has
weaknesses such as the high free fatty acid (FFA) and water content. In order to overcome the weaknesses, the NiSO4-
rice husk silica (Ni-RHS) catalyst was used in PFAD esterification. The optimization result at 9 h reaction time and 100
qC showed the MeOH : oil molar ratio is 15:1 and 15 wt.% catalyst amount with 88% of methyl ester. The catalyst could
maintain catalytic activity more than 80% in two cycles and it proves that the regeneration and reuse of the catalyst were
feasible and handy.