Highly active CaO for the transesterification to biodiesel production from rapeseed oil

Abstract

The catalytic performance of commercial CaO modified by trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) for transesterification of rapeseed oil and methanol to biodiesel production was studied. It was found that the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) yield of the modified CaO was greatly enhanced from 85.4% to 94.6% under 65 ^oC with 15:1 molar ratios of methanol/oil by using 5 wt.% catalyst (weight to oil). The possible reason lies on promoting the absorption of grease to modified CaO surface. Both the characterization of the catalyst and the effects of various factors such as mass ratio of catalyst to oil, reaction temperature and molar ratio of methanol to oil were investigated.

KEY WORDS: Biodiesel, Base catalyst, CaO, Modification

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2011, 25(1), 37-42.