Thesis (M.Eng.)--Chulalongkorn University, 2006

In this study, transesterification using Dowex, Amberlyst-15 and Sodium hydroxide was investigated. The experiments were conducted in batch system at atmospheric pressure. Types of palm oil used refined oil, used oil and crude oil. Amounts of Sodium hydroxide used 0.25%, 0.50% and 1% by weight of palm oil. Amount of Dowex and Amberlyst-15 used 25% and 50% by weight of palm oil. Temperatures of 40, 50, and 60℃ were used in the reaction. Reaction time for homogeneous catalyzed-transesterification was two hours. Reaction time for heterogeneous catalyzed-transesterification was eight hours. The results show that an optimum condition for transesterification using heterogeneous catalyst was crude palm oil using Amberlyst-15 50% by weight of oil which gives methyl ester of 57.89% and an optimum condition for transesterification using homogeneous catalyst was refined palm oil using catalyst 1% by weight of oil at 60℃ which gives methyl ester of 96.29%.