Sodium Metasilicate-MgO Blend Catalyst for Producing Mono and Diacylglycerol from Palm Kernel Oil Using High Shear Compartment Reactor

Sodium metasilicate (SMS) tended to agglomerate during glycerolysis reactions in high shear compartment reactors (HSCR), hindering triacylglycerol (TAG) conversion. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the SMS-magnesium oxide (MgO) blend as a heterogeneous catalyst for glycerolysis reactions. Various SMS-MgO ratios (ranging from 2.5:1 to 10.0:1) were evaluated. The results demonstrated that increasing MgO in the blend reduced catalyst basicity and minimized O-Si-O groups and catalyst crystallinity, preventing clumping and increasing catalyst surface area. The SMS-MgO 5.0:1 blend exhibited the smallest pore size (<2 nm) with a surface area of 4.22 m² . _g^–1 and basicity of 11.59 ± 0.115 mmol . g^–1. This blend achieved the highest TAG conversion of 53.98%, with a MAG content of 16.86 ± 0.528% when it was performed at 120 °C with an agitator speed of 2,000 rpm for 6 h. Thus, the SMS-MgO 5.0:1 blend shows promise as a heterogeneous catalyst in glycerolysis reaction in HSCR, hindering agglomeration and enhancing surface area.