Abstract
Studies of bio-oil upgrading via esterification of palm shell bio-oil and alcohols employing acid catalysts were carried out in this work. The effects of esterification conditions on reaction conversion and product quality were investigated. Results indicated that esterification reaction using solid acid catalyst of Amberlyst15 enabled the conversion of organic acids in the bio-oil to esters and could also reduce certain amount of active aldehydes. The utilization of H2SO4 liquid catalyst was found to give higher conversion at the same reaction condition. Furthermore, higher reaction conversion to esters was achievable under conditions of higher temperature, longer reaction time, higher amounts of catalyst and alcohol and the use of shorter hydrocarbon chain of alcohol. Bio-oils, after being subjected to esterification, gave moderate heating value of 23–25 MJ/kg and improved fuel properties of decreased density, viscosity, carbon residue content, ash content, pour point and acidity.
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Weerachanchai, P., Tangsathitkulchai, C. & Tangsathitkulchai, M. Effect of reaction conditions on the catalytic esterification of bio-oil. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 29, 182–189 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-011-0161-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-011-0161-y