Abstract
Heterogeneous catalysis applied to esterification and transesterification of non-edible oil offers a strategy to the clean synthesis of the biodiesel and is driving research interested into the development of acid catalysts for efficient conversion of low quality vegetable oils into fuels to meet future societal demands. Thus, sulfated niobium oxide catalyst was synthesized by the impregnation method and used as a heterogeneous catalyst aimed at biodiesel production via macaw palm oil through high free fatty acid content transesterification with ethanol. The effect of two reaction parameters, molar ratio of ethanol to macaw palm oil and reaction temperature, on ester content and viscosity was studied by the response surface methodology (RSM). The ester content was determined by GC. The catalyst shows excellent activity (99.2% ester content and 4.5mm2/s viscosity) towards biodiesel production. Its optimum reaction conditions were: 120:1 molar ratio of ethanol to macaw palm oil at 250°C reaction temperature. The catalysts characterization was carried out by using the X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and N2 Adsorption-desorption and Surface Acidity Analyses.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
