BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM PALM OIL OVER SYNTHESIZED CERIA NANOMATERIAL

Many high yielding catalyst rangmg from homogenous, heterogeneous and
biocatalysts have been used for biodiesel production. However, high amount of energy
is still required to mix the reactants (oils and alcohols) during reactions. Therefore, this
study examine four ceria nanomaterials that are capable of increasing miscibility by
lowering the surface tension at the interface of the reactants. The synthesized ceria
nanomaterials namely; titanium doped ceria, cerium dodecyl trimethyl ammonium
bromide, cerium hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and cerium hexadecyl
trimethyl ammonium chloride were characterized by x-ray diffraction techniques
(XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and surface area and pore size analyzer. After which
they were used for transesterificationof palm oil. A 0.4 wt. % Ce02-Ti02 gave a yield
of 70.6 % at 55 OC, 12:1 methanol oil ratio, and 1.0 wt. % catalyst loading in 150
minutes. The density and viscosity ofbiodiesel produced are 920.9 kg/m3 and 12 N.s/m2
respectively.