Biodiesel production by using metal oxide solid catalysts.

• Main Author: Lee, Sze Yee.
• Other Authors: Xu Rong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Chemical engineering::Fuel
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/39826
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Our world is slowing facing depletion of fossil fuel while global energy demand increases dramatically. Renewable biodiesel, produced from esterification of free fatty acid (FFA) or transesterification of triglyceride (TG), has been found as a potential alternative energy source. Tungsten promoted zirconia catalyst (WO3/ZrO2), as a solid acid metal oxide, was found to be one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly catalysts in biodiesel production. This report presents a summary of literature studies of reaction parameters and physical characteristics of WO3/ZrO2 catalysts that affect the biodiesel production efficiency. Optimum criteria of reactant selection, alcohol to FFA or TG molar ratio, miscibility of substrate, reaction temperature and reaction time were discussed and presented. It was reported that co-existence of tetragonal phase zirconia and amorphous tungsten oxide, high surface area and high acidity increase the catalytic activity of WO3/ZrO2 catalyst. These features are influenced by the calcination temperature and catalyst loading amount. About 5.0 to 7.9wt% of WO3 loaded on ZrO2 which were calcined at 600 to 800 °C was reported to give the highest reaction rate and yield of FAAE. Moreover, acid number titration ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials standard) D974 was studied and tested since it is a potential experimental analytical technique in biodiesel production. There were technical challenges to be overcome in order to feasibly apply acid number titration method to quantify FFA conversion in esterification reaction.