Monitoring Enzymatic Hydroesterification of Low-Cost Feedstocks by Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019-06-15

Authors

Manuel Fonseca Almeida (Author) FEUP; Mariana Cruz (Author) FEUP; Joana Dias (Author) FEUP; Conceição Alvim Ferraz (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Catalysts

Vol. 9 No. 6

Pages: 1-12

ISSN: 2073-4344

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 4 Citations

INSPEC

Associated Projects

LEPABE-2-ECO-INNOVATION - LEPABE-2-ECO-INNOVATION

LEPABE - Projeto Estratégico do LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-SQW

DOI: 10.3390/catal9060535

Abstract (EN): Enzymatic hydroesterification is a heterogeneous catalyzed process suitable for the conversion of low-cost feedstocks in biodiesel production, namely, because of its tolerance to high free fatty acid contents. The current study describes the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to monitor biodiesel production using enzymatic hydroesterification and, as raw materials, acid oil from soapstock and olive pomace oil. Acid oil (similar to 34 wt.% FFA) and olive pomace oil (similar to 50 wt.% FFA) were first hydrolyzed (35 degrees C, 24 h, 200 rpm, 3 wt.% of lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus, and 1:0.5 water:oil ratio, w:w), and then enzymatic esterification was performed (35 degrees C, 7 h, 200 rpm, 2 wt.% of lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus, and 2:1 molar ratio of methanol to acid). FTIR analyses were conducted on the products using a Jasco FT/IR-4100 with a scanning range of 4000-650 cm(-1) at 4 cm(-1) spectral resolution and 54 scans. For free fatty acid (FFA) quantification, the C=O band at 1708 cm(-1) was used, corresponding to the carboxylic acid, whereas for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) quantification, the peak corresponding to C=O at 1746 cm(-1) was considered, which corresponded to the ester. The results were calibrated using volumetric titration and gas chromatography analyses, concerning FFA and FAME quantification, respectively. The best conditions for analysis were determined, and a calibration method was established. FTIR has shown to be a simple, fast, and clean technique suitable to monitor hydroesterification of low-cost feedstocks.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12