Treatment of acidic crude palm oil using supported benzenesulfonic acid-based deep eutectic solvents in trickle bed reactor
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2024
Abstract
In this study, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) from benzenesulfonic acid and choline chloride (BZSA-ChCl-DES) was prepared for the treatment of high free fatty acids (FFA) in acidic crude palm oil (ACPO). The DES was impregnated into activated carbon (AC-DES) to produce a supported catalyst used in a trickle bed reactor (TBR) for FFA esterification. Under optimal conditions, using 8 g of AC-DES at 60 degrees C, with ACPO and methanol flow rates of 1 mL/min and 4 mL/min, respectively, the TBR successfully treated 3.5 L of ACPO. A batch reactor, used for comparison, showed that the continuous TBR process required less catalyst per gram of treated oil (2.87 mg catalyst/g) which can enhance the recyclability. Moreover, the continuous process could sustain up to five recycle runs that can treat 1.5 L under optimal conditions (3.5 wt% catalyst dosage, 10:1 M ratio, 60 degrees C reaction temperature, and 30 min). This approach presents a promising continuous approach for converting high FFA to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) for biodiesel production.
Keywords
Biodiesel, Deep eutectic solvent, Esterification, Low grade crude palm oil, Trickle bed reactor, Activated carbon
Divisions
fac_eng,sch_che
Funders
King Saud University (RSP2024R511)
Publication Title
Materials Today Sustainability
Volume
28
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
RADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS