Sulphuric acid modified biomass: A novel acid catalyst for effective esterification of free fatty acids for biodiesel production

Sathyaselvabala Vasanthakumar, Isam Janajreh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) with methanol is studied using sulphuric acid activated biomass as acid catalyst. The effects of the molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction time and mass ratio of catalyst to oil were studied to optimize the reaction conditions. The experimental results showed that the optimum conditions were 91 molar ratio of methanol to oil, 2 wt % catalyst, at reaction temperature of 60°C and reaction time of 3 h. Acid value reduced from 12 to 1.9 mgKOH/g of oil. The prepared reused sulphuric acid activated biomass at least three times without loss of activity.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationProceedings of 2013 International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference, IRSEC 2013
Pages453-455
Number of pages3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event1st International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference, IRSEC 2013 - Ouarzazate, Morocco
Duration: 7 Mar 20139 Mar 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings of 2013 International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference, IRSEC 2013

Conference

Conference1st International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference, IRSEC 2013
Country/TerritoryMorocco
CityOuarzazate
Period7/03/139/03/13

Keywords

  • Biodiesel
  • Biomass
  • Esterification
  • Solid acid catalyst

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