Heterogeneous Esterification of Free Fatty Acids of Macauba pulp oil (Acrocomia aculeata) in ethanol

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the utilization of KSF clay and Amberlyst®15 resin as catalysts in esterification reaction of free fatty acids (FFAs) from Macauba pulp oil in ethanol. The results obtained showed that the Amberlyst®15 is most efficient for esterification of FFAs when compared with KSF clay. In the reactions using resin it was found that the variables temperature and amount of catalyst presented positive significant effect on the conversion reaction, and the best results were obtained when 20% of the catalyst added to the reaction (in relation to FFA mass). The effect of reaction time was evaluated and at temperature of 80 °C, molar ratio (FFA: ethanol) of 1:4 and 20% catalyst, conversions > 90% are reported.

Keywords

• Acauba oil
• Heterogeneous catalysts
• Free fatty acids