Transesterification of Canola Oil to Biodiesel Using MgO Loaded with KOH as a Heterogeneous Catalyst

Ilgen O., AKIN A. N.

ENERGY & FUELS, vol.23, pp.1786-1789, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 23
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1021/ef800345u
  • Journal Name: ENERGY & FUELS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1786-1789
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, transesterification of canola oil with methanol has been studied in a heterogeneous system, using MgO-supported KOH catalysts. All of the catalysts were prepared by incipient-wetness impregnation of an aqueous solution of KOH on MgO support. Effects of the methanol/canola oil molar ratio, reaction temperature, loadings of KOH, and reaction time in biodiesel production were investigated. The catalyst with 20 wt % KOH loaded on MgO gave the highest basicity and the best catalytic activity for this reaction. The highest conversion of canola oil of 99.36% and the highest FAME yield of 95.05% were obtained.