Esterification process catalyzed by ionic liquids for fatty acid methyl esters production
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abstract
Biodiesel is a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), prepared from vegetable oils and animal fats through esterification of free fatty acids (FFAs) and/or
through transesterification of triglycerides, that arises as a possible diesel substitute. It can be produced using basic or acid catalysts. However, these
traditional catalysts present problems, so there is a need for the searching of more sustainable alternative catalysts. The ionic liquids (ILs) are molten salts
which exist in liquid state at temperature below 100°C and as catalysts are an interesting alternative to the traditional catalysts because ILs can be
reusable and are environmentally friendly.
Due to the massive use of energy from non-renewable sources as well as to environmental problems it is important to find green alternatives. In this context the biodiesel production arises, as a possible diesel substitute which can be produced using basic or acid catalysts. Despite these traditional catalysts present high production yields, the problems that come from its use and the environmental impacts associated, result in the need for the search of more sustainable alternatives. The ionic liquids (IL) as possible catalysts represents an interesting alternative because IL are reusable and environmentally friendly. In present work, the main goal is to study biodiesel production using the ionic liquid 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate [BMIM][MeSO4] as catalyst, by the assessment of its kinetic activity. The results of kinetic study by the integral method, showed low activation energy of 5.16 kJ/mol and a pre-exponential factor (A) of 0.0624 L2.mol-2.min-1.
