Catalytic Cracking of Methyl Ester from Used-Cooking Oil Using Ni-Impregnated Active Charcoal Catalyst

Current petroleum energy sources have been starting to diminish along with the increasing a demand in industries and transportations. In next few years Indonesia is predicted experience fuel crisis. One way solve this problem find alternative from renewable raw materials. This study was conducted obtain through catalytic cracking of used cooking oil-derived methyl ester into biofuel using active charcoal catalyst. The made out solid waste (shells) oil palm industry. Nickel solutions varying concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%) ware impregnated produce Ni- catalyst then for esters variations reaction temperature 400oC, 450oC 500oC. Methyl produced filtered used-cooking by transesterification method. SEM-EDX analysis showed that metal successfully embedded where highest concentration (18.4%) found at impregnation treatment 2% solution. From SEM image, it can also be seen unique pores. gravimetric product fraction liquid resulting 400oC Ni-charcoal 3%