Utilization of BA (boiler ash) as catalyst for transesterification of palm olein

BA (boiler ash) (empty fruit bunch ash) was used as a source of pseudo-homogeneous base catalyst for transesterification of palm olein. BA successfully transesterified palm olein at mild reaction conditions (3 wt.% dried BA, 15:1 methanol:oil molar ratio, reaction temperature of 60 °C and reaction time of 30 min) to produce 90% methyl esters. Although BA works very well as a catalyst for transesterification, it is not reusable as the active species in the catalyst tend to leach out of the system during reaction. BA was prepared for transesterification by drying in oven at 105 ± 2 °C to constant weight.

► We used 3 wt.% boiler ash (BA) as a source of base catalyst in transesterification.
► Oven dried BA is the best catalyst for transesterification compared to calcined BA.
► BA gives 90% conversion at mild reaction conditions; 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio and 30 min reaction time.