Biodiesel production using aminated fibrous polymer catalyst in packed continuous reactor

Abstract

A solid polymer catalyst in a form of aminated ion exchange fibers having basic functionality was prepared by amination (treatment with triethylamine) of a fibrous grafted copolymer precursor obtained by radiation induced grating of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto polyethylene (PE) fibers. The obtained aminated fibrous catalyst was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm the presence of the functional (amine) groups. Degree of amination of 30.65% was obtained together with an amine group density of 1.89 mmol/g. The performance of the obtained fibrous polymer catalyst was tested for biodiesel production by the transesterification of triacetin with methanol using packed bed column under dynamic conditions (temperature, methanol/oil ratio and residence time). The ranges of independent variables were reaction temperature (50°C-90°C), residence time (1-5 h) and methanol:triacetin ratio (12:1-24:1). The obtained product was characterized by GC-MS to provide evidence for the conversion of triacetin to methyl acetate. The highest conversion of 90.06% was obtained at 90°C with 18:1 molar ratio and 2 h for residence time. Meanwhile, kinetic model and studies was applied. Reaction rate was calculated k=0.383 liter2 mol-2 hour-1 for the order of the reaction 2. The fixed bed reactor with the fibrous solid polymer catalyst set a modular process for production of biodiesel based on transesterification of triacetin. The obtained solid polymer catalyst under the optimum conditions provides sufficient conversion without purification and separation for biodiesel which might affect the properties of the product