engleski

Influence of the Source of Feedstock and the Reaction Parameters on the Synthesis of Fatty Acid Isobutyl Esters

In the recent decades, the investigation of the alternatives to mineral fuels has sparked the attention of scientists. The research and development of renewable energy includes the synthesis of biofuels, such as biodiesel, due to their sustainability and nontoxicity. The end fuel properties depend on the type of feedstock and alcohol used for its synthesis. Here, fatty acid isobutyl esters were obtained via transesterification reaction between an alcohol isobutanol and different sources of triglycerides, specifically sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, waste cooking oil or animal fat, alongside a catalyst, potassium hydroxide. Reaction time, molar ratio of the reactants and mass fraction of the catalyst were the reaction parameters that were variable during the course of the reaction at the constant temperature of 60 °C. Results show that the conversion above 96% can be achieved at the temperature of 60 °C, after 30 minutes, when the molar ratio of isobutanol to rapeseed oil is 12:1 and the mass fraction of the catalyst is 1 or 3%. The most significant reaction parameters are molar ratio of the reactants and the mass fraction of the catalyst, which increase, generally, leads to the increase in the reaction conversion.

biodiesel ; transesterification ; isobutanol

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