Optimization of Methyl Ester Production from Waste Palm Oil Using Activated Carbon Supported Calcium Oxide Catalyst

In this study, methyl ester (ME) was produced by transesterification of waste cooking palm oil (WPO) using activated carbon supported calcium oxide as a solid base catalyst (CaO/AC). Process optimization using response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to study the effect of reaction time, molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction temperature and catalyst amount to produce highest ME content. The optimum reaction condition was at 5.5 wt% catalyst amount, 170 °C temperature, 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio and 2 h 22 min reaction time. The predicted and experimental ME content were found to be 80.02% and 77.32%, respectively.