Influence of the reaction conditions on the enzyme catalyzed transesterification of castor oil: A possible step in biodiesel production

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 243; pp. 366 - 374
• Main Authors: Andrade, Thalles A., Errico, Massimiliano, Christensen, Knud V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2017
• Subjects: Biodiesel; Biofuels; Castor Oil; Catalysis; Esterification; Liquid enzymes; Methanol; Optimal reaction conditions; Plant Oils; Temperature; Transesterification; Liquid enzymes; Optimal reaction conditions; Transesterification; Castor oil; Biodiesel
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.06.118

•Castor oil transesterification into FAME was done using liquid lipase as catalyst.•HPLC calibration curves were used to measure the FAME and FFA concentration.•Higher amounts of methanol decreases the enzyme activity, decreasing the yield.•The optimal conditions, giving the FAME yield and FFA content were identified.•An optimal yield of 94% of FAME was obtained with a content of 6.1% FFA. The identification of the influence of the reaction parameters is of paramount importance when defining a process design. In this work, non-edible castor oil was reacted with methanol to produce a possible component for biodiesel blends, using liquid enzymes as the catalyst. Temperature, alcohol-to-oil molar ratio, enzyme and added water contents were the reaction parameters evaluated in the transesterification reactions. The optimal conditions, giving the optimal final FAME yield and FFA content in the methyl ester-phase was identified. At 35°C, 6.0 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, 5wt% of enzyme and 5wt% of water contents, 94% of FAME yield and 6.1% of FFA in the final composition were obtained. The investigation was completed with the analysis of the component profiles, showing that at least 8h are necessary to reach a satisfactory FAME yield together with a minor FFA content.