Síntese do biodiesel a partir da esterificação do ácido oleico na presença de álcool metílico

Abstract

Against the present problem of energy, biofuels are presented as a promising and viable alternative where biodiesel has obtained prominence by different forms of production. This promising biofuel is defined as a mixture of alkyl esters produced from different raw materials and reaction routes, among which we highlight the transesterification and the esterification, the second being the study of the present work. The esterification of fatty acids consists of the reaction between fatty acids and short chain alcohols which are formed esters (biodiesel) and water as the reaction by-product. The reaction tests were carried out using a jacketed reactor whose temperature was monitored with the aid of a thermostated bath. The reactants were added in the following order: oleic acid, catalyst (Fe2O3) and methyl alcohol, being kept constant magnetic stirring. The reaction parameters were tested time (60 minutes and 120 minutes), temperature (70 ° C and 90 ° C) and molar ratio oleic acid / methanol (1: 9, 1:12, 1:15). The conversion to methyl esters were found by decreasing the acidity of each sample index, where titrations were performed using sodium hydroxide. The obtained results reveal that only increased molar ratio influenced the obtained conversions. Despite the increase in the reaction temperature and duration of the reactions, conversions remained the same proving that the reaction conditions used, the activation energy of the molecules reaches its maximum at 70 ° C for 60 minutes, and reaction of interest tests under different conditions.