Selection of heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production from animal fat

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Joana M. Dias (Author) FEUP; Maria C. M. Alvim Ferraz (Author) FEUP; Manuel F. Almeida (Author) FEUP; José D. Méndez Díaz (Author) Other; Manuel Sánchez Polo (Author) Other; José Rivera Utrilla (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Fuel

Vol. 94 No. 1

Pages: 418-425

ISSN: 0016-2361

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 49 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 71 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science

Associated Projects

PEst-C/EQB/UI0511/2011 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - UI 511 - 2011-2012

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-BW8

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2011.10.069

Abstract (EN): In order to contribute for a more sustainable biodiesel production, its synthesis from animal fat through heterogeneous catalysis was studied, by focusing on: (i) selecting a heterogeneous catalyst for pork lard transesterification; (ii) studying the influence of the reaction conditions on biodiesel purity, namely by using response surface methodology (RSM); and, (iii) evaluating the re-use of the catalyst. Calcium manganese oxide was the selected heterogeneous catalyst for the transesterification of lard obtained from a meat processing industry. RSM studies allowed the development of a second-order model representing the influence of the reaction conditions on biodiesel purity; the temperature and the combined effect of the temperature and catalyst concentration were the conditions which mostly influenced product purity. Catalyst was reused without significant loss of activity indicating that catalytic behaviour was heterogeneous.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8