Bifunctional catalysts applied to produce biodiesel from waste cooking oil

Abstract

This work aims to present the analysis of the catalytic performance of Fe2O3/CaO as a bifunctional catalyst in the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil. The clamshell was used as a source of calcium oxide by calcination. The catalyst was characterized by Thermogravimetric analysis and Differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The catalytic tests were conducted at 55 °C, the methanol:oil ratio was 12:1, amount of catalyst of 6%wt and reaction time of 5 h. The content of methyl esters in the produced biodiesel was >98% and was found to fulfill the specifications of European Norm UNE-EN 14214.