Microwave‐Assisted Methyl Ester Production from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate over a Heterogeneous Carbon‐Based Solid Acid Catalyst

Abstract

AbstractAn efficient microwave‐pulse width modulation (microwave‐PWM) batch reactor with controlled temperature and power was fabricated for biodiesel production. Microwave‐assisted acceleration of the esterification rate of palm fatty acid distillate using a sulfonated‐glucose solid acid catalyst (glucose‐SO3H) is described. Glucose‐SO3H was prepared by simple sulfonation of incomplete carbonized glucose. Parametric studies were performed in order to determine the optimum operating conditions of the reaction process. The radio frequency microwave energy could enhance the reaction rate by eight times compared to the conventional heating techniques under mild conditions. The results reveal the potential of microwave irradiation, which offers a faster esterification rate, improves the yield of fatty acid methyl esters, and reduces the production cost.