Exploring the Potential of High-Fatty Acid Content Oils for Biodiesel Production: A Catalyst-Free Approach

Abstract

Abstract The adoption of biofuels has been recognized as one of the key approaches to strive towards achieving net zero emissions, particularly through the utilization of biodiesel derived from oils or fatty acids. To further optimize the utilization of biodiesel, it becomes crucial to explore alternative non-food resources, such as oils with a high content of fatty acids, to serve as biodiesel feedstock. This paper examines the potential use of oil with high fatty acid content, specifically palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), as a biodiesel feedstock. Typically, the biodiesel production process from PFAD involves a two-step catalytic process that requires a strong acid catalyst, known for its corrosiveness, that needs costly equipment materials. This research explores a catalyst-free production process ensuring a non-corrosive process with reduced capital expenses and fewer chemicals, thereby lowering operational costs. The results demonstrate that biodiesel from PFAD can be obtained in concentration of 83.9% using a one-step non-catalytic process with superheated methanol vapor at a temperature of 210°C under atmospheric pressure. This highlights the significant potential of catalyst-free technology in the production of biodiesel from PFAD.