Preparation of Molecular Sieve Al-SBA-15 with Two Ratios Si/Al Catalyst for Use in the Transesterification Reaction of Soybean Oil

Abstract

Molecular sieves have been applied to the triacylglycerides processing in the production of biodiesel through transesterification reaction. The purpose of obtain a material that has characteristics favorable to higher biodiesel conversion, this paper aims to synthesize molecular sieves SBA-15 and Al-SBA-15 on two reasons Si/Al (Si/Al= 10 and 100) evaluated in the transesterification reaction of soybean oil and investigate the potential of Si/Al ratios in the reaction over the acid each material. The catalysts were prepared by conventional hydrothermal method by varying the composition of the aluminum consequently altering the acidity of the material, since this reaction takes place in acid medium. The samples were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Spectroscopy in the infrared region by Fourier transform (FTIR). The results of the characterization of the catalysts have shown that the materials were successfully obtained, from the characterization observed. The biodiesel syntheses were conducted with soybean oil using ethyl alcohol 12: 1 relative to the oil and 5% of catalyst in the reactor with autogenous pressure. Were realized viscosity analyzes as conversion parameter of the vegetable oil into biodiesel. From the results of biodiesel viscosity was obtained a yield of 13% on average by using the Al-SBA-15. However, even not have remained within the specifications the standards of the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels, catalysts showed efficiency compared with the SBA-15 in biodiesel synthesis.