Characterisation and performance of three promising heterogeneous catalysts in transesterification of palm oil

摘要: In this work, the performance of three heterogeneous catalysts, namely potassium hydroxide/γ-alumina, bulk calcium oxide, and nano-calcium in comparison with homogeneous hydroxide was studied transesterification palm oil to produce methyl esters glycerol. The physical chemical properties catalysts were thoroughly characterised determined using a number analytical methods assess their catalytic activities prior transesterification. reaction products analysed liquid chromatography quantified based on American Society Testing Materials United State Pharmacopoeia standard methods. At 65°C temperature, oil-to-methanol mole ratio 1: 15, 2.5 h time, catalyst (φ r = 40), hydroxide, oxide gave ester yields 97 %, 96 94 90 respectively. impregnation γ-alumina displayed comparable where former could be physically separated via filtration resulting relatively greater purity products. Other advantages included longer reusability more active sites lower by-product formation.