Synthesis of FAME from the methanolysis of palm fatty acid distillate using highly active solid oxide acid catalyst

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 124; pp. 54 - 60
• Main Authors: OLUTOYE, M. A, WONG, C. P, CHIN, L. H, HAMEED, B. H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 01.08.2014
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Catalysts; Conversion; Distillates; Energy; Esterification; Exact sciences and technology; Fatty acids; Food industries; Fuels; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Methyl alcohol; Miscellaneous; Palm; Synthesis; Use and upgrading of agricultural and food by-products. Biotechnology; Ternary compound; Monounsaturated fatty acid; Fatty ester; Palmitic acid; Composite material; Characterization; Distillate; Composite oxide catalyst; Oleic acid; Palm fatty acid distillate; Zirconium Oxides; Stearic acid; Chemical synthesis; Fatty acid methyl ester; Fatty add methyl esters; Methanolysis; Transesterification; Fatty acids; Esterification; Titanium Oxides; Iron Oxides; Quaternary compound; Saturated fatty acid; Reusable catalyst; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2014.02.013

The esterification of non-edible, low cost palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) with methanol has been studied in heterogeneous process using ZrFeTiO, ZrFeO, and FeTiO catalysts at temperature range of 110-200 [degrees]C The catalysts prepared by sol-gel synthesis procedure were characterized by N sub(2) adsorption, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and SEM/ EDX. All catalysts exhibited high catalytic activity in PFAD esterification with methanol. The highest conversion to methyl esters, 96.54%, was achieved using ZrFeTiO catalyst calcined at 600 [degrees]C for 4 h after 5 h of reaction at 170 [degrees]C, 3 wt.% of catalyst loading, and methanol to oil ratio of 3:1. The catalysts were separated easily from reaction mixture and minimal leaching of active species to the reaction medium is found. It can be used in four successive reactions with stable conversions. Regeneration and reuse are feasible and easy to perform.