https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2017.049
Published: Kem. Ind. 67 (9-10) (2018) 377–383
Paper reference number: KUI-49/2017
Paper type: Original scientific paper
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Possibility of Using Hydrated Lime as a Catalyst in the Process of Sunflower Oil Methanolysis

Z. Iličković, F. Andrejaš, E. Subašić and V. Stuhli

Abstract

Existing commercial processes for the production of biodiesel are mainly based on homogeneous base catalysed methanolysis of vegetable oils. The most commonly used catalysts are NaOH, KOH and NaOCH₃. In this paper, the possibility of using hydrated lime, a commercial product used primarily in construction, as a catalyst in the process of methanolysis of sunflower oil, was investigated. The influence of process parameters was examined; the catalyst mass, the ratio of methanol/oil, and the time of reaction on the methyl ester yield and on basic characteristics of the resulting biodiesel. The results obtained by the research in this paper show that hydrated lime can be used as an efficient, inexpensive and environmentally friendly catalyst for the methanolysis of sunflower oil.

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Keywords

methanolysis, sunflower oil, heterogeneous catalysts, hydrated lime