Synthesis and characterization of a novel solid acid catalyst for improved biodiesel production

FUEL 39

H. Francis Webster, fwebster@radford.edu, Sabrina R Hash, srhash@radford.edu, and Christopher S Estes, csestes@radford.edu. Department of Chemistry, Radford University, 341 Reed Hall, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142
The interest in alternative fuels has increased dramatically in recent years due to the rising cost and environmental concerns related to fossil fuels use. The purpose of this work was to synthesize and characterize a carbon based solid acid catalysts for fatty acid methyl ester production. An amorphous carbon catalyst was synthesized using the reaction of sucrose and sulfuric acid under controlled conditions. Catalysts were then characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (ATR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed the presence of surface sulfonic acid and carboxylic acid groups and titration techniques were used to determine the concentration of both strong acid and total acid groups. Catalytic activity was monitored using the esterification of oleic acid and reaction kinetics were monitored using ATR to determine carboxylic acid and methyl ester content respectively. Conversions in excess of 90% were seen for some pre-treatments, and catalytic activity compared favorably to commercial solid acid catalysts.
 

BioFuels: Biodiesel Chemistry and Implementation
1:25 PM-6:00 PM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 Boston Park Plaza -- Arlington Rm, Oral

Division of Fuel Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007