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Montmorillonite-supported KF/CaO: a new solid base catalyst for biodiesel production

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Abstract

Biodiesel is an alternative to petroleum-derived diesel fuel; development of a high-efficiency base catalyst to be used in heterogeneous biodiesel production is still a challenge. In this paper, a novel solid base catalyst, KF- and CaO-supported montmorillonite (KCa/MMT) was successfully synthesized by a facile impregnation method, and used for producing biodiesel in transesterification of commercial soybean oil with methanol. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, carbon dioxide temperature-programmed desorption and scanning electron microscopy. Effects of the parameters, such as the loading amount of KF, the amount of KCa/MMT, and the methanol to oil molar ratios, on the yield of biodiesel were investigated. A maximum biodiesel yield of 98 % was obtained under the optimal reaction conditions. The separated catalyst can be directly used in the next round of reactions and gave a satisfactory yield. Furthermore, analysis of the catalyst's tolerance to oil-containing water or free fatty acids, and a kinetic study were also carried out. Koros–Nowak tests were designed and conducted, and it was proven that the heat and mass transfer were not limited by the reaction rate.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Science Research Project of the Ministry of Education of Heilongjiang Province of China (2012TD012, 12511Z030, 12521594, JX201205), and the Graduate Innovation Fund of Heilongjiang Province of China (YJSCX2013-014X).

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  1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Heilongjiang Province, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China

    Lihua Jia, Yanhui Li, Juan Chen, Xiangfeng Guo, Shengfeng Lou & Hailong Duan

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  1. Lihua Jia
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  2. Yanhui Li
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  3. Juan Chen
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  4. Xiangfeng Guo
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Correspondence to Lihua Jia or Xiangfeng Guo.

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Jia, L., Li, Y., Chen, J. et al. Montmorillonite-supported KF/CaO: a new solid base catalyst for biodiesel production. Res Chem Intermed 42, 1791–1807 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-015-2118-y

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