Abstract
Different Ca–Mg–Al catalysts were prepared by the hydrotalcite route using co-precipitation and impregnation techniques. The effect of thermal treatment was studied and the obtained mixed oxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption and CO2-temperature programmed desorption. Catalysts were then tested in the transesterification of sunflower oil. The catalyst that showed the best catalytic performance was an uncalcined Mg4Al2 support impregnated with 40 wt% of calcium followed by a calcination at 600 °C (Ca600/Mg4Al2HT). Optimum conditions for biodiesel production over this catalyst were a reaction time of 6 h, a catalyst to oil ratio of 2.5 wt%, a 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, a stirring rate of 400 rpm and a temperature of 60 °C giving a final FAME yield of 95%.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1242-1248 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Renewable Energy |
Volume | 146 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2020 |
Keywords
- Biodiesel
- Catalyst
- Ca–Mg–Al
- Hydrotalcite
- Transesterification
- Vegetable oil
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment