REVIEW OF CATALYSTS AND PROCESS PARAMETERS IN THE INTERESTERIFICATION REACTION FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

Abstrak

This article reviews the development of catalysts and key operating parameters in the interesterification of triglycerides with methyl acetate for biodiesel production. Interesterification offers advantages over conventional methanol-based transesterification, particularly the absence of glycerol formation and the generation of triacetin as a valuable co-product. A systematic narrative review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted on studies published between 2005-2024. The discussion covers homogeneous, heterogeneous, enzymatic, and supercritical systems, as well as kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics. Homogeneous catalysts exhibit rapid reaction rates at mild temperatures but suffer from separation and corrosion issues. Heterogeneous catalysts provide improved stability and reusability, although diffusion limitations are often present. Enzymatic systems offer high selectivity under low-temperature conditions but require long reaction times and incur high costs. Supercritical methyl acetate achieves high conversion without catalysts but demands extreme operating conditions. Comparative analysis indicates that catalyst performance is strongly influenced by feedstock quality, MA:oil ratio, temperature, and process intensification methods. This review highlights research gaps and future directions needed to support efficient and sustainable industrial biodiesel production through methyl acetate–based interesterification.

Artikel ini mengulas perkembangan katalis dan parameter operasi utama pada reaksi interesterifikasi trigliserida dengan metil asetat untuk produksi biodiesel. Metode interesterifikasi menawarkan keunggulan dibandingkan transesterifikasi berbasis metanol, terutama karena tidak menghasilkan gliserol dan memproduksi triasetin sebagai produk samping bernilai tambah. Kajian ini disusun melalui systematic narrative review berbasis PRISMA terhadap publikasi tahun 2005–2024. Pembahasan mencakup katalis homogen, heterogen, enzimatik, serta proses superkritis, beserta aspek kinetika dan termodinamika. Katalis homogen menunjukkan laju reaksi cepat pada suhu rendah namun memiliki kendala pemisahan dan korosivitas. Katalis heterogen lebih stabil dan dapat digunakan ulang, meskipun kinerjanya sering dibatasi hambatan difusi. Sistem enzimatik memberikan selektivitas tinggi namun membutuhkan waktu reaksi panjang dan biaya besar. Proses superkritis mampu mencapai konversi tinggi tanpa katalis, tetapi memerlukan kondisi operasi ekstrem. Analisis komparatif menunjukkan bahwa performa katalis dipengaruhi kualitas minyak, rasio MA:oil, suhu, dan metode intensifikasi proses. Kajian ini mengidentifikasi gap penelitian serta arah pengembangan untuk mendukung produksi biodiesel yang efisien dan berkelanjutan melalui interesterifikasi berbasis metil asetat.