One-step production of biodiesel from rice bran oil catalyzed by chlorosulfonic acid modified zirconia via simultaneous esterification and transesterification

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2013-11, Vol.147, p.59-64
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yue, Wong, Wing-Tak, Yung, Ka-Fu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiesel; Biofuel production; Biofuels; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Catalysis; Chlorosulfonic acid; Conversion; Crude oil; Durability; Energy; Esterification; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Plant Oils - chemistry; Powder Diffraction; Rice Bran Oil; Simultaneous esterification and transesterification; Sulfated zirconia; Sulfonic Acids - chemistry; Temperature; Transesterification; Zirconium - chemistry; Zirconium dioxide
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.07.152

•Crude rice bran oil with 40wt% FFA is converted to biodiesel via one-step reaction.•Chlorosulfonic acid modified zirconia catalyze the reaction at only 120°C.•The catalyst shows high FFA and water tolerance. Due to the high content (25–50%) of free fatty acid (FFA), crude rice bran oil usually requires a two steps conversion or one step conversion with very harsh condition for simultaneous esterification and transesterification. In this study, chlorosulfonic acid modified zirconia (HClSO3–ZrO2) with strong acidity and durability is prepared and it shows excellent catalytic activity toward simultaneous esterification and transesterification. Under a relative low reaction temperature of 120°C, HClSO3–ZrO2 catalyzes a complete conversion of simulated crude rice bran oil (refined oil with 40wt% FFA) into biodiesel and the conversion yield keep at above 92% for at least three cycles. Further investigation on the tolerance towards FFA and water reveals that it maintains high activity even with the presence of 40wt% FFA and 3wt% water. It shows that HClSO3–ZrO2 is a robust and durable catalyst which shows high potential to be commercial catalyst for biodiesel production from low grade feedstock.