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Use of sulfonic acid-functionalized silica as catalyst for esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) in acid oil for biodiesel production: an optimization study

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Abstract

This paper deals with esterification of free fatty acids (FFAs) in acid oil (a byproduct of oil refining) to obtain biodiesel. Sulfonic acid-functionalized silica (SiO2–Pr–SO3H) was used as promising solid-acid catalyst. The conditions affecting conversion to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), for example reaction temperature, reaction time, catalyst concentration, and methanol-to-oil molar ratio, were investigated and optimized by use of the Taguchi method. The highest conversion obtained under the optimized conditions was 96.78 % after 8 h. Analysis of variance revealed that temperature was the most significant factor effecting conversion among the four conditions studied. The experimental results were found to fit a pseudo first-order kinetic law. SiO2–Pr–SO3H is a highly effective, reusable, and environmentally benign catalyst for biodiesel production from waste low-cost oil feedstock with a high FFA content.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Chemistry Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Ichchhanath, Surat, 395007, Gujarat, India

    Krunal A. Shah & Kalpana C. Maheria

  2. Chemical Engineering Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Ichchhanath, Surat, 395007, Gujarat, India

    Jigisha K. Parikh

Authors
  1. Krunal A. Shah
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  2. Jigisha K. Parikh
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  3. Kalpana C. Maheria
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Correspondence to Kalpana C. Maheria.

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Shah, K.A., Parikh, J.K. & Maheria, K.C. Use of sulfonic acid-functionalized silica as catalyst for esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) in acid oil for biodiesel production: an optimization study. Res Chem Intermed 41, 1035–1051 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-013-1253-6

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