The Use of Heterogeneous Catalysts of Chitosan Sulfonate Bead on the Esterification Reaction of Oleic Acid and Methanol

Biodiesel is one of the ester compounds with physical properties closer to a biodiesel which can be produced by the esterification reaction between methanol and oleic acid (one of major components present in Palm Fatty Acid Distillate, PFAD). The purpose of this study was to obtain an optimum condition of esterification reaction by using chitosan sulfonate bead as heterogeneous catalysts. Chitosan sulfonate bead was made from chitosan undergo sulfonation process using acidic reagents cross-linked with sulfosalicylic and glutaraldehyde with a high enough value of ion exchange capacity. The stage of esterification reactions was carried by varying the amount of catalyst being added (4, 6, 8, 10, 12% by oleic acid), the operating temperature was varied of 40, 50 and 60 degrees C, and the reaction time of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours. Conversion determination of the products was done by analysing the free fatty acids content in each sample. Having obtained from the optimum amount of catalyst being added, temperature, and time, it was found that the catalyst was at 8%, 50 degrees C, during 5 hours in operation. The maximum conversion of oleic acid into biodiesel was 73.12%.