Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Sunflower Oil Using Sodalite-Based Catalyst via Taguchi Method
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33795/jtkl.v9i2.7345Keywords:
biodiesel, heterogeneous catalyst, sodalite, sunflower oil, Taguchi methodAbstract
The growing demand for alternative fuels has highlighted biodiesel as sustainable substitute for fossil diesel. In this study, biodiesel was produced from sunflower seed oil using heterogeneous catalyst synthesized from natural kaolin into sodalite via hydrothermal process. The synthesized catalyst was characterized using XRD, FTIR and SEM-EDS, confirming the transformation of kaolinite to sodalite. The transesterification reaction was conducted under varying methanol-to-oil molar ratios (1:12, 1:18, and 1:24) and temperatures (60, 65, and 70°C). A Taguchi orthogonal array (L9) was employed to statistically evaluate the effects of these parameters on methyl ester yield. Experimental results showed that both methanol ratio and reaction temperature significantly influenced biodiesel yield, with the highest yield of 90.44% obtained at 70°C and 1:18 molar ratio. Signal-to-noise ratio and ANOVA analysis indicated that the methanol-to-oil ratio was the most dominant factor (46.05%) compared to temperature (40.55%). The resulting biodiesel exhibited a flash point of 158°C, acid value of 0.06 mg-KOH/g, and iodine value of 84.06 g-I₂/100g, satisfying most ASTM D6751 and SNI 7182:2015 standards, though viscosity and density exceeded standard limits. Emission testing showed 16% reduction in CO emissions with increasing biodiesel blends, while NO and NOx emissions slightly increased.
References
D. T. Oyekunle, E. A. Gendy, M. Barasa, D. O. Oyekunle, B. Oni, S. K. Tiong, Review on Utilization of Rubber Seed Oil for Biodiesel Production: Oil Extraction, Biodiesel Conversion, Merits, and Challenges, Clean. Eng. Technol., vol. 21, pp. 100773, 2024.
W. N. A. W. Osman, J. K. L. Min, S. Samsuri, Exploring the Thermal Properties of Biodiesel After Purification Via Solvent-Aided Crystallization, Results Eng., vol. 22, pp. 1–10, 2024.
B. Azhar, S. Gunawan, M. Muharja, C. Avian, D. Satrio, H. W. Aparamarta, Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction in The Purification of Triglycerides from Non-edible Crude Calophyllum inophyllum Oil as Biodiesel Feedstock Using Artificial Intelligence, S. Afr. J. Chem. Eng., vol. 47, pp. 312–321, 2024.
T. Touqeer, M. W. Mumtaz, H. Mukhtar, A. Irfan, S. Akram, A. Shabbir, U. Rashid, I. A. Nehdi, T. S. Y. Choong, Fe3O4-PDA-Lipase as Surface Functionalized Nano Biocatalyst for The Production of Biodiesel Using Waste Cooking Oil as Feedstock: Characterization and Process Optimization, Energies, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 1–19, 2020.
M. Aghbashlo, W. Peng, M. Tabatabaei, S. A. Kalogirou, S. Soltanian, H. Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, O. Mahian, S. S. Lam, Machine Learning Technology in Biodiesel Research: A Review, Prog. Energy Combust. Sci., vol. 85, pp. 1–112, 2021.
G. D. Okcu, Microalgae Biodiesel Production: a Solution to Increasing Energy Demands in Turkey, Biofuels, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 77–93, 2022.
S. Vellaiyan, K. Aljohani, B. S. Aljohani, B. R. S. R. Reddy, Enhancing Waste-Derived Biodiesel Yield using Recyclable Zinc Sulfide Nanocatalyst: Synthesis, Characterization, and Process Optimization, Results Eng., vol. 23, pp. 1–10, 2024.
I. M. Maafa, A. A Sayed Alahl, M. O. Abd El-Magied, X. Cui, A. S. Dhmees, Eco-friendly Self-terminated Process for Preparation of CaO Catalyst Based on Chitosan Production Wastes for Biodiesel Production, J. Mater. Res. Technol., vol. 30, pp. 1217–1227, 2024.
M. A. Asokan, S. S. Prabu, B. Musthafa, B. Saravanan, S. Sujai, R. T. Pote, N. P. Chavan, D. S. Bhor, Effect of Antioxidants on CI Engine Characteristics of Safflower Biodiesel with Varying Fuel Injection Pressures, Case Stud. Therm. Eng., vol. 60, pp. 1–10, 2024.
J. V. L. Ruatpuia, G. Halder, M. Vanlalchhandama, F. Lalsangpuii, R. Boddula, N. Al-Qahtani, S. Niju, T. Mathimani, S. L. Rokhum, Jatropha Curcas Oil a Potential Feedstock for Biodiesel Production: A Critical Review, Fuel, vol. 370, pp. 1–16, 2024.
T. A. Mekuriaw, M. K. Abera, CaO -Catalyzed Trans-esterification of Brassica carinata Seed Oil for Biodiesel Production, Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 13, pp. 1–15, 2024.
C. Dueso, M. Muñoz, F. Moreno, J. Arroyo, N. Gil-Lalaguna, A. Bautista, A. Gonzalo, J. L. Sánchez, Performance and Emissions of A Diesel Engine Using Sunflower Biodiesel with A Renewable Antioxidant Additive from Bio-oil, Fuel, vol. 234, pp. 276–285, 2018.
F. Esmi, A. K. Dalai, Y. Hu, Comparison of Various Machine Learning Techniques for Modeling The Heterogeneous Acid-catalyzed Alcoholysis Process of Biodiesel Production from Green Seed Canola Oil, Energy Rep., vol. 12, pp. 321–328, 2024.
C. H. Chang, H. Y. Wei, B. Y. Chen, C. S. Tan, In situ Catalyst-free Biodiesel Production from Partially Wet Microalgae Treated with Mixed Methanol and Castor Oil Containing Pressurized CO2, J. Supercrit. Fluids, vol. 157, pp. 1–8, 2019.
H. Teklehaimanot, N. Gupta, R. B. Nallamothu, The Impact of Al2O3 Nano Additives on Jatropha curcas Biodiesel-diesel Blend on Combustion and Emission Behavior, Energy Convers. Manag.: X, vol. 25, pp. 1–9, 2025.
A. K. Yadav, M. E. Khan, A. Pal, U. Ghosh, Performance and Emission Characteristics of A Stationary Diesel Engine Fuelled by Schleichera Oleosa Oil Methyl Ester (SOME) Produced Through Hydrodynamic Cavitation Process, Egypt. J. Pet., vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 89–93, 2017.
M. Balajii, S. Niju, Banana Peduncle – a Green and Renewable Heterogeneous Base Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Ceiba pentandra Oil, Renew. Energy, vol. 146, pp. 2255–2269, 2019.
Z. Rahmawati, H. Holilah, S. W. Purnami, H. Bahruji, T. P. Oetami, D. Prasetyoko, Statistical Optimisation using Taguchi Method for transesterification of Reutealis Trisperma Oil to Biodiesel on CaO-ZnO Catalysts, Bull. Chem. React. Eng. Catal., vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 686–695, 2021.
G. M. Mathew, D. Raina, V. Narisetty, V. Kumar, S. Saran, A. Pugazhendi, R. Sindhu, A. Pandey, P. Binod, Recent Advances in Biodiesel Production: Challenges and Solutions, Sci. Total Environ., vol. 794, pp. 1–15, 2021.
Ł. Szkudlarek, K. Chałupka-Śpiewak, W. Maniukiewicz, M. Nowosielska, J. Albińska, M. I. Szynkowska-Jóźwik, P. Mierczyński, CaO Catalysts Supported on ZSM-5 Zeolite for Biodiesel Production via Transesterification of Rapeseed Oil, Appl. Catal. O-Open, vol. 194, pp. 1–13, 2024.
S. Otieno, F. Kengara, C. Kowenje, R. Mokaya, Optimization of Biodiesel Synthesis from Jatropha Curcas Oil Using Kaolin Derived Zeolite Na-X as a Catalyst, RSC Adv., vol. 12, no. 35, pp. 22792–22805, 2022.
M. R. Abukhadra, S. M. Ibrahim, S. M. Yakout, M. E. El-Zaidy, A. A. Abdeltawab, Synthesis of Na+ Trapped Bentonite/Zeolite-P composite as a Novel Catalyst for Effective Production of Biodiesel From Palm Oil; Effect of Ultrasonic Irradiation and Mechanism, Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 196, pp. 739–750, 2019.
Z. Li, S. Ding, C. Chen, S. Qu, L. Du, J. Lu, J. Ding, Recyclable Li/NaY Zeolite as A Heterogeneous Alkaline Catalyst for Biodiesel Production: Process Optimization and Kinetics Study, Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 192, pp. 335–345, 2019.
J. M. Shabani, O. Babajide, O. Oyekola, L. Petrik, Synthesis of Hydroxy Sodalite from Coal Fly Ash for Biodiesel Production from Waste-Derived Maggot Oil, Catalysts, vol. 9, no. 12, pp. 1–15, 2019.
T. Aniokete, M. Ozonoh, M. Daramola, Synthesis of Pure and High Surface Area Sodalite Catalyst from Waste Industrial Brine and Coal Fly Ash for Conversion of Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) to Biodiesel, Int. J. Renew. Energy Res., vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 1924–1937, 2019.
M. C. Manique, L. V. Lacerda, A. K. Alves, C. P. Bergmann, Synthesis of Hydro-Sodalite as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Reaction Kinetics of Soybean Oil Trans-Esterification, J. Mater. Sci. & Eng., vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 1–6, 2018,
A. Hamid, R. E. Nugraha, H. Holilah, H. Bahruji, D. Prasetyoko, Large Intraparticle Mesoporosity of Hierarchical ZSM 5 Synthesized from Kaolin Using Silicalite Seed: Effect of Aging Time and Temperature, J. Korean Ceram. Soc., vol. 60, pp. 1–13, 2022.
R. E. Nugraha, D. Prasetyoko, N. Asikin-Mijan, H. Bahruji, S. Suprapto, Y. H. Taufiq-Yap, A. A. Jalil, The Effect of Structure Directing Agents on Micro/Mesopore Structures of Aluminosilicates from Indonesian Kaolin as Deoxygenation Catalysts, Micropor. Mesopor. Mat., vol. 315, pp. 1–13, 2021.
T. Wahyuni, D. Prasetyoko, S. Suprapto, I. Qoniah, H. Bahruji, A. A. Dawam, S. Triwahyono, A. A. Jalil, Direct Synthesis of Sodalite from Indonesian Kaolin for Adsorption of Pb2+ Solution, Kinetics, and Isotherm Approach, Bull. Chem. React. Eng. Catal., vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 502–512, 2019.
M. Ulfa, A. Masykur, A. F. Nofitasari, N. A. Sholeha, S. Suprapto, H. Bahruji, D. Prasetyoko, Controlling the Size and Porosity of Sodalite Nanoparticles from Indonesian Kaolin for Pb2+ Removal, Materials, vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 1–19, 2022.
I. Simbi, U. O. Aigbe, O. Oyekola, O. A. Osibote, Optimization of Biodiesel Produced from Waste Sunflower Cooking Oil Over Bi-Functional Catalyst, Results Eng., vol. 13, pp. 1–13, 2021.
M. Z. Salmasi, M. Kazemeini, S. Sadjadi, Transesterification of Sunflower Oil To Biodiesel Fuel Utilizing A Novel K2CO3/Talc Catalyst: Process Optimizations And Kinetics Investigations, Ind. Crops. Prod., vol. 156, pp. 112846, 2020.
L. Macheli, M. E. Malefane, L. L. Jewell, Waste-derived Calcium Oxide Catalysts in Biodiesel Production: Exploring Various Waste Sources, Deactivation Challenges, and Improvement Strategies, Bioresour. Technol. Rep., vol. 29, pp. 1–19, 2025.
J. Silvaraja, N. Y. Yahya, M. M. Zainol, Y. S. Lee, Preliminary Investigations of Sustainable Magnetic Catalyst-Based Biochar Derived Spent Coffee Ground for Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil, Cleaner Chem. Eng., vol. 11, pp. 100148, 2025.
C. S. Damian, D. Yuvarajan, T. Raja, G. Choubey, D. B. Munuswamy, Biodiesel Production from Shrimp Shell Lipids: Evaluating ZnO Nanoparticles as A Catalyst, Results Eng., vol. 24, pp. 103453, 2024.
U. M. Aliyu, S. Rathilal, S. I. Mustapha, R. Musamali, E. K. Tetteh, Hydrothermal Synthesis of Kaolin-based ZSM-5 Zeolite: Effect of Synthesis Parameters and its Application for Bioethanol Conversion, Catal. Commun., vol. 182, pp. 106750, 2023.
S. Otieno, F. Kengara, C. Kowenje, R. Mokaya, Optimization of Biodiesel Synthesis from Jatropha Curcas Oil using Kaolin Derived Zeolite Na-X as a Catalyst, RSC Adv., vol. 12, no. 35, pp. 22792–22805, 2022.
S. Otieno, C. Kowenje, F. Kengara, R. Mokaya, Effect of Kaolin Pre-Treatment Method and NaOH Levels on The Structure and Properties of Kaolin-derived Faujasite Zeolites, Mater. Adv., vol. 2, no. 18, pp. 5997–6010, 2021.
M. Yu, D. Luo, J. Kuang, W. Yuan, Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Eu3+ Doped Sodalite Phosphors Using Kaolin, Results Phys., vol. 41, pp. 105887, 2022.
M. E. F. Sari, S. Suprapto, D. Prasetyoko, Direct Synthesis of Sodalite from Kaolin: The Influence of Alkalinity, Indones. J. Chem., vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 607–613, 2018.
W. Luo, Z. Fan, J. Wan, Q. Hu, H. Dong, X. Zhang, Z. Zhou, Study on The Reusability of Kaolin as Catalysts for Catalytic Pyrolysis of Low-density Polyethylene, Fuel, vol. 302, pp. 1–112, 2021.
Q. Song, J. Shen, Y. Yang, J. Wang, Y. Yang, J. Sun, B. Jiang, Z. Liao, Effect of Temperature on The Synthesis of Sodalite by Crystal Transition Process, Micropor. Mesopor. Mat., vol. 292, pp. 109755, 2020.
C. T. Oloyede, S. O. Jekayinfa, A. O. Alade, O. Ogunkunle, O. T. Laseinde, A. O. Adebayo, A. I. Abdulkareem, G. F. Smaisim, I. M. R. Fattah, Synthesis of Biobased Composite Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production Using Simplex Lattice Design Mixture: Optimization Process by Taguchi Method, Energies, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 1–26, 2023.
M. Saad, B. Siyo, H. Alrakkad, Preparation and Characterization of Biodiesel From Waste Cooking Oils Using Heterogeneous Catalyst(Cat.TS-7) based on Natural Zeolite, Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 1–13, 2023.
S. P. Sabapathy, A. M. Ammasi, E. Khalife, M. Kaveh, M. Szymanek, G. K. Reghu, P. Sabapathy, Comprehensive Assessment from Optimum Biodiesel Yield to Combustion Characteristics of Light Duty Diesel Engine Fueled With Palm Kernel Oil Biodiesel and Fuel Additives, Materials, vol. 14, no. 15, pp. 1–23, 2021.
V. G. Nguyen, M. T. Pham, N. V. L. Le, H. C. Le, T. H. Truong, D. N. Cao, A comprehensive Review on The Use of Biodiesel for Diesel Engines, Int. J. Renew. Energy Dev., vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 720–740, 2023.
I. Simbi, U. O. Aigbe, O. Oyekola, O. A. Osibote, Optimization of Biodiesel Produced from Waste Sunflower Cooking Oil Over Bi-Functional Catalyst, Results Eng., vol. 13, pp. 100374, 2022.
J. Yang, C. Caldwell, K. Corscadden, Q. S. He, J. Li, An Evaluation of Biodiesel Production from Camelina sativa Grown in Nova scotia, Ind. Crops. Prod., vol. 81, pp. 162–168, 2016.
S. I. S. Mohammad, A. Vasudevan, K. D. V. Prasad, I. R. Ali, A. Kumar, A. Kulshreshta, V. S. Mann, I. B. Sapaev, T. Kalyani, M. Sina, Evaluation of Diesel Engine Performance and Emissions Using Biodiesel from Waste Oils Synthesized with Fe3O4-SiO2 Heterogeneous Nano Catalyst, Heliyon, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1–16, 2025.
A. Zahedi, Z. Moradi, G. Molaeimanesh, M. J. M. Ghanaei, Experimental Development of Biodiesel Fuel Derived from Freshwater Microalgae for Improved Engine Performance and Reduced Emissions, Energy Rep., vol. 12, pp. 6036–6045, 2024.
D. Divyachandrika, J. Hemanandh, P. Barmavatu, B. Ganesh, Enhancing Jatropha Oil Biodiesel by Using Citrus limetta Peels as A Biocatalyst: A Sustainable Way to Reduce Emissions and Enhance The Efficiency of CI Engine, Int. J. Thermofluid., vol. 24, pp. 1–11, 2024.
A. F. Fareed, A. S. El-Shafay, M. A. Mujtaba, F. Riaz, M. S. Gad, Investigation of Waste Cooking and Castor Biodiesel Blends Effects on Diesel Engine Performance, Emissions, and Combustion Characteristics, Case Stud. Therm. Eng., vol. 60, pp. 1–13, 2024.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdul Hamid, Amin Jakfar, Zeni Rahmawati, Muhammad Doni Armansyah, Tri Wahyuni, Tri Esti Purbaningtias, Ike Dayi Febriana, Mohammad Abdullah, Aurista Miftahatul Ilmah, Faizatur Rohmah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.




