The effect of vacuum process on biodiesel production from Palm Kernel Fatty Acid Distillate

This study aims to examine the operating pressure effect on manufacture of biodiesel from Palm Kernel Fatty Acid Distillate (PKFAD) by using para-Toluene Sulfonic (PTSA) catalyst. The pressures studied are vacuum 70 kPa, 80 90 and 100 which varied with PTSA concentrations 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, molar ratios methanol PKFAD 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1. Biodiesel production is carried out reaction duration 120 minutes temperature at 50 0C. amounts fatty acids converted calculated based initial acid number after esterification reaction. results obtained show that a kPa provides conversion above 96% for all catalyst PKFAD. highest 98.6% an concentration ratio characteristics in this have met standards American Society Testing Materials.