Ethanolysis and Methanolysis of Soybean and Macauba Oils Catalyzed by Mixed Oxide Ca–Al from Hydrocalumite for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

In this study, Ca–Al mixed oxide produced from the thermal decomposition of a synthetic hydrocalumite was prepared and evaluated as a catalyst in the transesterification reaction for biodiesel production, using the following reagents: refined soybean oil, crude macauba kernel oil, methanol, and ethanol. The synthetic hydrocalumite and the mixed oxide were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry coupled with mass spectrometry, specific surface area measurement, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed desorption of CO2. The catalytic tests indicated that the reactions using methanol exhibited more favorable activity than those employing ethanol, regardless of the type of oil used (soybean or macauba). Ethanolysis produced better results for the higher-molar-mass oil (soybean), because of the effect of the ethanol cosolvent. The catalyst was efficient for transesterification, with conversions of 97% and 95% for soybean and macauba oil, respectively, after 1.5 h of reaction, under atmospheric pressure condition and reflux temperature.

Quality Parameters of Mechanically Extracted Edible Macauba Oils (Acrocomia aculeata) for Potential Food and Alternative Industrial Feedstock Application

“… a) References: Rettore and Martins, Bora and Rocha, Hiane et al, Nunes et al, Coimbra and Jorge, Coimbra and Jorge, Silva et al, Souza et al, César et al, Da Conceição et al, Prado et al,; b) Standard Deviation; c) N/A − Not Applicable.…”

Advances in porous and nanoscale catalysts for viable biomass conversion

“…As a result, a number of CaO-based oxides were developed for biodiesel synthesis. [419][420][421][422] Sr-Zr mixed oxides were also active in one-pot esterification and transesterification of waste cooking oil with ethanol. 423 Owing to well-balanced acid-base properties, mixed oxide with a 2 : 1 atomic ratio of Sr-Zr, followed by calcination at 650 1C, displayed the highest catalytic performance towards biodiesel production.…”

Effect of Preparation Method on the Catalytic Property of Calcined Ca–Al Hydrotalcite for the Synthesis of Ethyl Methyl Carbonate

“…As an important class of solid base catalysts, calcined hydrotalcite has the advantages of strong alkalinity, high surface alkali content, low cost, and easy separation. − It is widely used in alkali-catalyzed reactions such as transesterification of biodiesel and organic carbonates. − Compared with the commonly calcined Mg–Al hydrotalcite, the calcined Ca–Al hydrotalcite shows higher alkali strength. Nowadays, calcined Ca–Al hydrotalcite with a Ca/Al ratio of 2 is more commonly used in the field of catalysis by previous literature works. − …”