Application of chemical heterogeneous catalysts in the transesterification of soybean oil ethanolic miscellae

Abstract

This work aims to continue the research established in the Oils and Fats Laboratory within the Department of Agri-food industry, Food and Nutrition, about vegetable oil extraction using ethanol as an alternative solvent to hexane. Thanks to the research grants nº 04/15164-0 and nº 08/58334-3 from FAPESP, obtaining soybean oil through both pilot and small-scale was possible. Oil-rich miscellae were obtained and the production of ethyl esters was conducted by direct transesterification under homogeneous catalysis, which originated a patent request submitted to INPI. The purpose of this work is to promote the transesterification of ethanolic miscellae of soybean oil under heterogeneous catalysis, establishing the best reaction conditions, in the search for a cleaner process that may provide final products (biodiesel and glycerin) of greater quality and value. Tripotassium phosphate (K3PO4) was the selected catalyst to be used in the main study which involves the determination of the operation conditions aiming at its optimization. The criteria for this selection focused on a catalyst that fit within the reaction requirements, showing higher yields and industrial feasibility. Our goal is to verify the technical viability of biodiesel production using the ethanolic miscellae transesterification via heterogeneous catalysis. Experimental planning and response surface analysis will be adopted as a methodology to select the optimum process conditions, for biodiesel yield and quality. Tests will also be conducted using other catalysts like mesoporous clay and molecular sieve in a partnership study with UFPR. Biodiesel produced will be characterized according to ANP's recommendations. (AU)