Esterification of used frying oils with a high content of free fatty acids using solid resins

J.M. MARCHETTI; V.U. MIGUEL; A.F. ERRAZU

Tomar Portugal

Congreso; Bioenergy - I:From Concept to Commercial Processes; 2006

Frying oils has become a convenient raw material for the transesterification reaction for the production of Biodiesel. However this feedstock contain impurities as free fatty acids (FFA) that interfere in the transesterification reaction. A process capable of converting FFA to esters would be an interesting alternative for the production of Biodiesel.       On this work we analyze the conversion of acid oils of high FFA content employing solid resins of basic character and the effect of the most relevant variables that are involved on the process. We study the effect over the biodiesel conversion of the reaction temperature, the initial molar ratio of alcohol to oil, the amount of catalyst, the initial quantity of FFA, among others. We used an ideal frying oils made from refine oils and different amounts of FFA.             The use of heterogeneous catalyst, basic resins, seems to be an excellent way for the esterification of FFA into Biodiesel, at suitable conditions the reaction performance results in a good equilibrium conversion around 80%