Decrease of free fatty acid content in vegetable oil using silica supported ferric sulfate catalyst

► Conversion of oleic acid present in sunflower oil using Fe2(SO4)3/SiO2 catalyst. ► Synthesis and characterization of Fe2(SO4)3/SiO2. ► Oleic acid conversion depends on catalyst activation procedure. ► The effectiveness of catalyst surface was determined. ► Oleic acid conversion is simulated using third order kinetic model.