title: One-step production of biodiesel from rice bran oil catalyzed by chlorosulfonic acid modified zirconia via simultaneous esterification and transesterification.
abstract: Due to the high content (25-50%) of free fatty acid (FFA), crude rice bran oil usually requires a two steps conversion or one step conversion with very harsh condition for simultaneous esterification and transesterification. In this study, chlorosulfonic acid modified zirconia (HClSO3-ZrO2) with strong acidity and durability is prepared and it shows excellent catalytic activity toward simultaneous esterification and transesterification. Under a relative low reaction temperature of 120 °C, HClSO3-ZrO2 catalyzes a complete conversion of simulated crude rice bran oil (refined oil with 40 wt% FFA) into biodiesel and the conversion yield keep at above 92% for at least three cycles. Further investigation on the tolerance towards FFA and water reveals that it maintains high activity even with the presence of 40 wt% FFA and 3 wt% water. It shows that HClSO3-ZrO2 is a robust and durable catalyst which shows high potential to be commercial catalyst for biodiesel production from low grade feedstock.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Ham, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Electronic address: wing-tak.wong@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Wing-Tak
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Ham, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Electronic address: bckfyung@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Ka-Fu
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Yung
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D002384:Catalysis; D004951:Esterification; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D033362:Powder Diffraction; D000073879:Rice Bran Oil; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D010938:Plant Oils; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; C013880:chlorosulfonic acid; D015040:Zirconium; D000073879:Rice Bran Oil; C028541:zirconium oxide
keywords: Biodiesel; Chlorosulfonic acid; Rice bran oil; Simultaneous esterification and transesterification; Sulfated zirconia