Dealumination of ZSM-5 as catalyst to convert glycerol to glycerol monostearate

This study aims to improve the acidity of the ZSM-5 catalyst as a catalyst that can produce the highest yield of glycerol monostearate from conversion of glycerol to glycerol monostearate. This study consisted of three stages: dealumination ZSM-5 Zeolite using H₂SO₄, catalyst characterization using ammonia absorption for acidity analysis and pyridine analysis for basicity catalyst, and GC-MS for Glycerol Monostearate molecular weight and purity analysis. Zeolite was dealuminated and then dried at a temperature of 110°C for 1 hour, then calcined at a temperature of 550°C for 4 hours. The dealumination variables used are acid concentration, temperature and time of dealumination. The test results obtained the optimum condition to produce the highest total acidity and the highest surface acidity at 7M of acid concentration, temperature of 60°C, and 2 hours of dealumination time. The optimum conditions of the dealumination variables to produce monoglycerides as product respectively, 3.5-6.5 M of acid concentration, temperature of dealumination at 40-60°C and 0.85-2 hours of dealumination time. This study also found other product namely glycerin, with high % yield on two catalyst samples which have the lowest total acidity.