Abstract
A heterogeneous reaction process using propylene glycol (PEG), ethyl acetate and diethyl ether as cosolvents for the transesterification of sunflower oil with ethanol in the presence of calcium oxide as a catalyst has been developed. Significant results were obtained with propylene glycol as a cosolvent. Under determined reaction conditions (CaO concentration, based on the oil weight 1.3736 mol∙dm-3; temperature 70°C; and ethanol-to-oil molar ratio 12:1), the conversion of sunflower oil to fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) exceeded 98% after 120 min, which was 2 times faster than transesterification of sunflower oil without a cosolvent. After initially enhanced ethanolysis, after 180 min ethyl acetate and diethyl ether negatively influenced the reaction rate and the FAEE yield.
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