Cement Kiln Dust as Heterogeneous Catalyst for Transesterification of Palm Cooking Oil

Abstract

Cement kiln dust (CKD) is alkaline materials which contains solid material mixture mainly calcium oxide (CaO). The activation process of CKD was carried out with refluxing methanol at T 343.15 K for 90 minutes. The activation studies were performed based on methanol to oil weight ratio (1:1, 3:1, and 5:1). The transesterification performance studies were carried out in intensified reactor at T 343.15 K and 353.15 K with various methanol to oil mole ratios (200:1 and 300:1). It is found that CKD was activated at temperature of 340.15 – 355.15 K. Therefore, the use of CKD catalysts for transesterification at temperatures higher than355.15 Kwill not beeffective. Furthermore, it is suggested that the activation process should not be performed for a longer time than 30 min. Transesterification with high methanol to oil mole ratios (200:1 and 300:1) showed a good performanceat 353.15 K. Both ratios achieved >98% yield of ME in 40 minutes. Nevertheless, the reversible reaction must be considered in the whole process. The performance of activated CKD as catalyst on transesterification of palm cooking oil is significant compared with the original CKD. This research confirmed that activated CKD is a potential heterogeneous catalyst for transesterification process.