Montmorillonite-supported KF/CaO: a new solid base catalyst for biodiesel production

Abstract

Biodiesel is an alternative to petroleum-derived diesel fuel; development of a high-efficiency base catalyst to be used in heterogeneous biodiesel production is still a challenge. In this paper, a novel solid base catalyst, KF-and CaOsupported montmorillonite (KCa/MMT) was successfully synthesized by a facile impregnation method, and used for producing biodiesel in transesterification of commercial soybean oil with methanol. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, carbon dioxide temperature-programmed desorption and scanning electron microscopy. Effects of the parameters, such as the loading amount of KF, the amount of KCa/MMT, and the methanol to oil molar ratios, on the yield of biodiesel were investigated. A maximum biodiesel yield of 98 % was obtained under the optimal reaction conditions. The separated catalyst can be directly used in the next round of reactions and gave a satisfactory yield. Furthermore, analysis of the catalyst's tolerance to oil-containing water or free fatty acids, and a kinetic study were also carried out. Koros-Nowak tests were designed and conducted, and it was proven that the heat and mass transfer were not limited by the reaction rate.

Esterification of Oleic Acid with Methanol Using Zr(SO4)2 as a Heterogeneous Catalyst

“…Similar observations were reported in literature , , . In this study, because of the small particle size of the catalyst (< 120 mesh), internal mass transfer limitations were considered negligible , .…”

Effect of KF Modification to Kaolinite Catalytic Activity in Microwave-Assisted Biodiesel Conversion

“…Some new reflections are [16,17]. Similar dealumination and fluorination formed K 2 FeF 4 caused by KF modification were reported from the modification of montmorillonite [9,18]. The dealumination process means that aluminium content still stays in the hole material but it is present in other phases rather than kaolinite structure as revealed from the formation of ew K3AlF6 phase in XRD analysis.…”

“…This phenomenon is in line with some previous works was reported for KF modification onto clay materials. The a volcano-type behavior of KF effect to the surface basicity was reported in clay modification at the KF content of 5-40 % [18].…”

Preparation of a palygorskite supported KF/CaO catalyst and its application for biodiesel production via transesterification

“…1.0 g CaO and 1.0 g Pal (200 mesh) were immersed in 10 mL KF solution of 0.01-0.05 g mL À1 , and this was then magnetically stirred continuously at 25 C for 3 h and dried at 80 C for 24 h. Aer grinding, the resulting product was calcined in a muffle furnace at 300-700 C for 5 h. The prepared catalyst is denoted KCa/Pal-m (m ¼ 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50), where m represents the mass percent of KF for the total amount of Pal and CaO, and Ca/Pal denotes the sample without KF. 35 Characterization of the as-prepared catalyst X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the catalysts were obtained using a Rigaku ULTIMA IV diffractometer with high-intensity Cu/Ka radiation and a step scan technique at 2q angles of 5-90 . The surface morphology of the catalyst was investigated using a JEOL JEM-2100 scanning electron microscope (SEM).…”