Solid KI Loaded γ-Al2O3 catalyzed Transesterification of Shaddock Oil

Biodiesel is at present considered to be the best alternative to the fossil fuels. Due to a closed carbon cycle, it does not cause greenhouse effect and its use can help fighting global warming. A large number of methods have been developed and suggested for the production of biodiesel (Fatty acid methyl ester) from vegetable oils and animal fats. At present, biodiesel is mostly produced by reacting methanol and vegetable oil in a batch reactor using a liquid alkaline catalyst. The catalyst cannot be recovered from the reactor and is instead neutralized and disposed of as a waste stream. A heterogeneously-catalyzed process of transesterification would offer a number of advantages over the current technology, such as simplification of the catalyst removal step and economization of the process through regeneration/recycling of the catalyst. Recently, the successful uses of alumina loaded with various oxides and nitrates as solid catalyst are reported. The present work reports the transesterification of Shaddock oil with methanol in presence of solid KI loaded gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. Effects of various parameters such as reaction time, concentration of the catalyst etc. on the yield were also studied. Highest conversion rate of the seed oil to its methyl ester was obtained under the condition of KI loading of 15 w/w%, calcination temperature at 473K, 8h of reaction time at 338K and 3w/w % catalyst and 12:1 molar ratio of methanol in oil.