Esterification of acidic oils over a versatile amorphous solid catalyst

ChemSusChem. 2009;2(6):535-7. doi: 10.1002/cssc.200900047.

Abstract

An amorphous SiO(2)-ZrO(2) catalyst shows high activity in the esterification of free fatty acids contained in vegetable oils while at the same time promoting the transesterification of triglycerides. The catalyst is hence a good candidate for a low-waste deacidification pretreatment or for a one-pot biodiesel production process starting from oils with a high acid content.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Energy-Generating Resources
  • Esterification
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / chemistry*
  • Gasoline
  • Green Chemistry Technology / methods*
  • Plant Oils / chemistry*
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Triglycerides / chemistry*
  • Zirconium

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Gasoline
  • Plant Oils
  • Triglycerides
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Zirconium
  • zirconium oxide