Reusable and efficient heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production from free fatty acids and oils: Self-solidifying hybrid ionic liquids

In recent years, attention has been drawn to produce heterogeneous catalyst to replace homogeneous catalyst in biodiesel industry. This study was focused on the synthesis of three different types of alginate based heterogeneous catalyst (Ferric-alginate, Copper-alginate, and Nickel alginate) and the effect of the catalyst on esterification of oleic acid. Morphology and elemental analysis was conducted to investigate the properties of the catalyst. The new heterogeneous catalysts were used to catalyze the esterification of oleic acid at reaction temperature of 60°C and 2 hours reaction time. Fe-alginate has achieved the highest free fatty acids (FFAs) conversation rate of 82.03%. The results and findings proved that transition metal-alginate heterogeneous catalyst has the potential and ability to esterify the free fatty acids prior biodiesel production from high free fatty acids feedstock.

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A Preliminary Study: Esterification of Free Fatty Acids (FFA) in Artificially Modified Feedstock Using Ionic Liquids as Catalysts.

BULLETIN OF CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING AND CATALYSIS ◽

10.9767/bcrec.11.2.549.182-190 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 182

Author(s):

Nurul Asmawati Roslan ◽

Mohammad Haniff Che Hasnan ◽

Norhayati Abdullah ◽

Syamsul Bahari Abdullah ◽

Sumaiya Zainal Abidin

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Ionic Liquids ◽

Free Fatty Acids ◽

Edible Oils ◽

Batch Reactor ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Esterification Reaction ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Hydrogen Sulphate

The exploration of non-edible oils as a feedstock has been positively affect the economic viability of biodiesel production. Due to the high level of free fatty acid (FFA) in non-edible oils, esterification is needed to remove the acidity to the minimum level before base-catalyzed transesterification. In this study, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate (HMIMHSO4) was self-synthesized and compared with the commercialized ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate (BMIMHSO4). HMIMHSO4 and BMIMHSO4 were characterized by 1H NMR prior to use in the esterification reaction. The reaction was carried out in a batch reactor and variables such as types of alcohol, oil: alcohol molar ratio, temperature and types of stirring were investigated. The highest conversion for each catalyst was achieved using ethanol as a solvent at the condition of 343 K reaction temperature, 12:1 alcohol to oil ratio in 8 h reaction time. BMIMHSO4 showed higher conversion (98%) as compared to HMIMHSO4 with only 82% conversion. Clearly, BMIMHSO4 shows considerable potential to reduce the FFA in the feedstock as it is exhibit excellent catalytic activity due to lower alkyl chain of BMIMHSO4 compared to HMIMHSO4. Copyright © 2016 BCREC GROUP. All rights reservedReceived: 21st January 2016; Revised: 29th February 2016; Accepted: 6th March 2016How to Cite: Roslan, N.A., Che Hasnan M.H., Abdullah, N., Abdullah, S.B., Abidin, S.Z. (2016). A Preliminary Study: Esterification of Free Fatty Acids (FFA) in Artificially Modified Feedstock Using Ionic Liquids as Catalysts. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 11 (2): 182-191 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.11.2.549.182-190)Permalink/DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.11.2.549.182-190">http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.11.2.549.182-190</a>

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