Biodiesel fuel from vegetable oil by various supercritical alcohols

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2004 Spring:113-116:793-801. doi: 10.1385/abab:115:1-3:0793.

Abstract

Biodiesel was prepared in various supercritical alcohol treatments with methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, or 1-octanol to study transesterification of rapeseed oil and alkyl esterification of fatty acid at temperatures of 300 and 350 degrees C. The results showed that in transesterification, the reactivity was greatly correlated to the alcohol: the longer the alkyl chain of alcohol, the longer the reaction treatment. In alkyl esterification of fatty acids, the conversion did not depend on the alcohol type because they had a similar reactivity. Therefore, the selection of alcohol in biodiesel production should be based on consideration of its performance of properties and economics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / chemistry
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Catalysis
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Energy-Generating Resources*
  • Esters / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
  • Plant Oils / chemistry*
  • Pressure
  • Rapeseed Oil
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Esters
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
  • Plant Oils
  • Rapeseed Oil