Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Homogeneous catalyst design allowing for lower quality feed utilization for biodiesel production

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter in a published conference proceeding

Abstract

The transesterification of triglycerides, the major constituent of vegetable and waste oils, with methanol produces fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The FAME can then be burned to completion in a diesel fuel engine, with an energy value equivalent to mineral diesel fuel. Current commercial catalysts are intolerant to impurities in low-quality feedstocks such as free fatty acids and water. A range of potential Lewis acid transesterification catalysts have been synthesized and characterized, containing a variety of metal centres and biologically derived ligand scaffolds. Transesterification reactions, using soybean oil, have been studied in order to investigate the utility of these catalysts for biodiesel production. The most successful catalysts to date have also been screened for the production of biodiesel from model waste oils. A homogeneous zinc carboxylate system has been shown to be the most successful, converting over 90% of the mixed glycerides to FAME over 2 hours at 200 °C.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication234th ACS National Meeting, Abstracts of Scientific Papers
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Event234th ACS National Meeting - Boston, MA, USA United States
Duration: 19 Aug 200723 Aug 2007

Publication series

NameACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts
ISSN (Print)0065-7727

Conference

Conference234th ACS National Meeting
Country/TerritoryUSA United States
CityBoston, MA
Period19/08/0723/08/07

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Homogeneous catalyst design allowing for lower quality feed utilization for biodiesel production'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this