Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
150480 | Chemical Engineering Journal | 2011 | 6 Pages |
Heterogeneous base catalysts were studied to develop an effective biodiesel manufacturing process with high activity and durability. Investigations were conducted on solid base CaO–MgO mixed metal oxides with different Ca/Mg atomic ratios. These catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen sorption with Brunauer–Emmer–Teller method (BET surface area), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption of CO2 (TPD-CO2). The catalytic activity was evaluated by transesterification of non-edible oil (Jatropha curcas oil) to its corresponding fatty acid methyl ester. Under optimum condition: 3 h reaction time, 25:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 3 wt.% catalyst loading and 120 °C reaction temperature, a series of calcium-based mixed oxide catalysts with different Ca/Mg atomic ratio produced a FAME yield in the range of 75–90%.
► Production of biodiesel via heterogeneous catalytic reaction with nonedible oil. ► Effect of Ca/Mg ratio towards transesterification activity was studied. ► We examine correlative effect between activity and alkalinity of the catalyst. ► 90% of FAME content is achieved under mild reaction condition. ► CaO–MgO catalyst showed high reusability with reused up to 4 times (>80%).