title: Production of biodiesel fuel by transesterification of different vegetable oils with methanol using Al₂O₃ modified MgZnO catalyst.
abstract: An active heterogeneous Al2O3 modified MgZnO (MgZnAlO) catalyst was prepared and the catalytic activity was investigated for the transesterification of different vegetable oils (refined palm oil, waste cooking palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil) with methanol to produce biodiesel. The catalyst was characterized by using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analysis to ascertain its versatility. Effects of important reaction parameters such as methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst dosage, reaction temperature and reaction time on oil conversion were examined. Within the range of studied variability, the suitable transesterification conditions (methanol/oil ratio 16:1, catalyst loading 3.32 wt.%, reaction time 6h, temperature 182°C), the oil conversion of 98% could be achieved with reference to coconut oil in a single stage. The catalyst can be easily recovered and reused for five cycles without significant deactivation.
authors: School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Olutoye
authors: B H
authors: BH
authors: Hameed
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D056804:Biofuels; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002384:Catalysis; D004951:Esterification / Q000502:physiology*; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D010938:Plant Oils; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide