Performance of Ba-containing catalysts in the transesterification reaction of rapeseed oil with methanol under flow conditions

Long-term performance of two barium-containing catalysts in the transesterification was studied in the flow fixed bed reactor during 50–60 h at the temperature of 200 (228) °C, the pressure of 20 (30) atm and the liquid hourly space velocity of 0.8–2 h− 1. The performance of the Ba0.04La1.96O3 catalyst is sustained at very high level during 50 h and then declines sharply. The BaAl12O19 catalyst exhibits lower performance but higher stability. The change of the phase or surface composition of the catalysts monitored by X-ray diffraction or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are the cause of the diminution of the performance.

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► Ba–Al–O, Ba–La–O catalysts synthesized by precipitation and subsequent calcination.
► Catalysts for rapeseed oil transesterification with methanol in flow fixed bed reactor.
► Ba–La–O is highly active but not stable; Ba–Al–O is less active but more stable.
► Deactivation of Ba–La–O is due to change of phase composition.
► Deactivation of Ba–Al–O is due to coke formation and depletion of catalyst with Ba.