Life Cycle Assessment of Biodiesel Production from Dipterocarpus alatus Oleoresin Using Potassium-Loaded Zeolite Y Catalyst Derived from Rice Husk Silica

Duangkamon  Khonkham; Aritart  Sanai; Thawatchai  Laosongkram; Thanai  Surasilp; Surachai  Rattanasuk; Saowanee  Manadee; Kanin  Bunnakit; Preecha  Sriprapakhan; Pisit  Maneechot; Gontapon  Promnigon; Ritchard  Artkla

doi:10.69650/rast.2026.263908

Authors

Duangkamon Khonkham Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand, Renewable Energy Research Unit, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand
Aritart Sanai Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand
Thawatchai Laosongkram Mathematics Program, Faculty of Education and Human Development, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand
Thanai Surasilp Major of Master in Science Education, Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand
Surachai Rattanasuk Major of Biology, Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand
Saowanee Manadee Renewable Energy Research Unit, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand
Kanin Bunnakit Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi-Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand
Preecha Sriprapakhan Takasila Research and Development Center of Energy, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
Pisit Maneechot School of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand
Gontapon Promnigon Major of Electrical Technology, Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand
Ritchard Artkla Major of Master in Science Education, Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand, Renewable Energy Research Unit, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69650/rast.2026.263908

Keywords:

Life Cycle Assessment, Biodiesel, Dipterocarpus Alatus , Rice Husk Silica, Zeolite Y , Heterogeneous Catalyst

Abstract

This study investigates the life cycle and catalytic performance of biodiesel production from Dipterocarpus alatus oleoresin using a heterogeneous base catalyst derived from potassium-loaded Zeolite Y synthesized from rice husk silica (K/NaY). The catalyst was prepared via wet impregnation of KOH onto NaY, followed by calcination at 550 °C for 4 h to ensure potassium dispersion and framework stability. Transesterification was performed under optimized conditions at a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 16:1, 3 wt% catalyst loading, and 60 °C for 90 min. The maximum biodiesel yield achieved was 96.7%, while the catalyst maintained above 80% yield after four successive reuse cycles, demonstrating excellent reusability.
Fuel characterization by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) revealed that methyl oleate and methyl palmitate were the dominant components, meeting key specifications of ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards.
A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using a functional unit of 1 MJ biodiesel, applying the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint methodology with SimaPro v9.3 software.
Results showed a global warming potential (GWP) of 0.027 kg CO₂-eq/MJ, substantially lower than fossil diesel (0.094 kg CO₂-eq/MJ). Overall, the findings confirm both the catalytic efficiency and environmental sustainability of K/NaY catalysts derived from rice husk, highlighting their potential for scalable industrial biodiesel applications.

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