Heterogeneous catalysts for transesterification of triglycerides and preparation methods of same

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of catalysts for the transesterification of triglycerides, for the production of fatty acid glycerin and esters. This invention describes preparatory methods using solid catalysts and the formulation of these catalysts for the production of fatty acid esters, glycerin, and specifically, biodiesel through the heterogeneous transesterification reaction of triglycerides present in vegetable oils and fats, like soy, cotton seed, canola, castor, peanut oils and animal fat. The solid catalysts of this invention are sufficiently magnetic to use in the production of biodiesel from vegetable oils and fats, not only because they work in a similar fashion as state of the art catalysts, but also because of the low cost of the raw materials used in its production. The invention even describes the composition obtained by using the catalysts, in which the purity of the products, such as biodiesel and glycerin is greater than 96.5%.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is based upon, claims the benefit of, priority of, and incorporates by reference, the contents of Brazilian Patent Application No. PI 0805625-0 filed Dec. 29, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention belongs to the field of catalysts for the transesterification of triglycerides, for the production of fatty acid glycerin and esters. More specifically, the invention describes solid catalysts for heterogeneous transesterification of triglycerides present in oils and fats and preparatory methods for the production of same. The solid catalysts of this invention are sufficiently magnetic to use in the production of biodiesel from vegetable oils and fats, not only because they work in a similar fashion as state of the art catalysts, but also because of the low cost of the raw materials used in its production.FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION[0003]Since the middle of the last century, much research has been carried out to searc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a way to make catalysts that can be used to produce biodiesel and glycerin from vegetable oils and fats. These catalysts are made using cheaper raw materials and lower industrial costs, making them more attractive for large-scale production. The method results in a conversion of 100% and produces purity greater than 96.5% for the biodiesel and glycerin products.

Problems solved by technology

However, transesterfication using homogeneous catalysts introduces problems.

Normally, the catalyst must be removed through complicated separation processes which increase the price of the final products.

Moreover, alkaline catalysts cause saponification of the free fatty acid esters present in oils, which requires the products to be washed with enormous amounts of water and causing a reduction in the ester production.

The impurity of the products obtained as well as burning of fuel generates considerable amounts of formaldehyde, acrylaldehyde, the metallic salts of formic acid and carbonates, in addition to pollutants cause damage to pistons and engines.

In recent studies on the processing of vegetable oil published in scientific and patent literature, the state of the art shows that there is always a concern regarding how to prevent the formation of undesirable by-products, that requires purification using a distillation stage and which makes industrial production financially unattractive.

Biodiesel synthesis using solid catalysts (heterogeneous) is more complex and the mechanisms involved are little understood.