Continuous catalyst-free production of esters from Jatropha curcas L. oil under supercritical ethanol

Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering

C. Silva²  T. A. S. Colonelli¹  E. A. Silva¹  V. F. Cabral²  J. V. Oliveira¹  L. Cardozo-filho² 

[1] ,Maringa State University Department of Chemical Engineering Maringa PR ,Brazil

关键词: Jatropha curcas oil;    Ethyl esters;    Continuous process;    Catalyst-free process;   

DOI  :  10.1590/0104-6632.20140313s00002709

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

In the present study, the transesterification of Jatropha oil in a continuous catalyst-free process using supercritical ethanol was investigated. Experiments were performed in a packed-bed tubular reactor by studying the effect on the reaction of temperature, pressure, water and cosolvent (n-hexane) concentrations, keeping the oil:ethanol mass ratio fixed at 1:1 for different residence times. The results demonstrated that temperature and pressure had a positive effect on fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) production and it was observed that the free fatty acids present in vegetable oil promote faster reaction kinetics due to simultaneous esterification and transesterification reactions. The addition of water and a cosolvent increased the FAEE yields at 573 K and 20 MPa. Within the experimental ranges investigated, water and the cosolvent decreased the decomposition of fatty acids. Appreciable reaction yields (~90 wt%) were achieved at 573 K, 20 MPa, with an oil:ethanol mass ratio of 1:1 and 10 wt% water.

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