Optimization on biodiesel (isopropyl ester) production from coconut oil using heterogenous catalyst by microwave assisted transesterification

Biodiesel is a renewable energy source that offers numerous advantages, making it a potential substitute for diesel fuel.Microwave-assisted transesterification is a highly effective method for producing biodiesel, as it significantly reduces reaction time, increases reaction yield, and enhances biodiesel quality compared to conventional methods.This process involves a transesterification reaction, which includes bringing in coconut oil to the reactor and then adding isopropanol and CaO derived from waste green mussel shells as a heterogeneous catalyst to accelerate the process.The reaction was conducted with varying parameters, including reaction temperature, catalyst percentage, and transesterification time.The primary purpose of this research was to optimize the variables used in biodiesel production to achieve higher yields using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken Design (BBD).Based on the optimization, isopropyl ester yield can be increased up to 94.2% if the operating conditions are maintained at 70.3 o C, with a 3.63 wt.% catalyst concentration for a reaction time of 11.77 minutes.It is also noted that the produced biodiesel complies with the range specified by SNI 7182:2015.This research is crucial in contributing to renewable energy development and helping achieve the world's commitment to lowering fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions.