The Utilization of Waste Biomass as Heterogeneous Catalyst for Triacetin Production

Abstract

The process of biodiesel transesterification produces crude glycerol as the main by-product, which accounts for about 10% by weight of biodiesel production. Utilization of crude glycerol can increase added value as well as provide benefits for the survival of biodiesel industry, utilizing crude glycerol as a raw material for making triacetin. The purpose of this study was to produce triacetin from crude glycerol byproduct of the biodiesel industry and to utilize waste biomass as a heterogeneous catalyst, namely orange peel, pineapple leaf and palm peel in the process of esterification reaction. The method started from the preparation of the catalyst material, extraction of the catalyst, purification of crude glycerol and the esterification process. The results of which were then carried out with a GC-MS test to determine the selectivity of triacetin. The highest glycerol conversion using orange peel catalyst was 94.89%, for palm peel 87.07% and pineapple leaf 89.75% with triacetin selectivity of 100% with reactant volume ratio treatment of 1: 9. Triacetin production using SiO2 catalyst derived from Biomass, especially heterogeneous catalysts derived from orange peel, palm peel and pineapple leaf, can be recommended for use in the esterification process to obtain high glycerol conversion values and triacetin selectivity.