Influence of process parameters on transesterification reaction of corn oil over base promoted γ - alumina abstract

Abstract

Due to the frequent use of fossil fuels, which has negative effects on the environment, there is a need to find a new, environmentally acceptable replacements for fossil fuels. One of the possible replacement is the inclusion of green technologies, in order to obtain the type of fuel that would be acceptable from an environmental and economic point of view. Biodiesel represents renewable and less toxic substituent for fossil fuels, which consists of esters of higher fatty acids and depending on the environmental conditions, can be manufactured from various types of oils, both plant and animal origin. Since corn is one of the most cultivated plants in Serbia, the research included the transesterification reaction of corn oil on a heterogeneous catalyst. The paper examined the activity of heterogeneous base catalyst (CaO/γ-Al2O3) and the influence of various parameters on the conversion of corn oil. From the optimization of process parameters, it was found that the optimal conditions for transesterification of corn oil to 25% CaO/γ-Al2O3: molar ratio of methanol to oil 1:12; stirring speed 900rpm; reflux temperature of the methanol; reaction time of 6 hours; the amount of catalyst in the reaction of 5wt.%.