Characterization of Catalysts for Glycerol Ester Production with Various Acetylating Agents

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe use of raw materials from renewable sources by industries is essential to the sustainable development of modern society. The biodiesel produced by the transesterification of vegetable oils is a less polluting diesel fuel, but large amounts of glycerol (10% of total weight of product) are generated during the production process. The scientific community and industries of the sector know that, in the future, the amount of glycerol generated can cause a serious ecologic problem. Thus, it is essential to find alternatives for the consumption of this co-product, in its crude form and/or as high value-added derivatives. This work studied obtaining triacetate from the glycerol esterification reaction that was determined by electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The reactions were carried out with sulfuric acid, phosphotungstic acid and in the absence of catalyst, using different acetylating agents (acetic acid and acetic anhydride). The phosphotungstic acid showed satisfactory performance in the catalytic esterification of glycerol when acetic acid and acid anhydride were used. The use of acetic anhydride as the acetylating agent favors the esterification reaction, decreasing the reaction time required for obtaining glycerol triacetate.