Biodiesel synthesis using calcined layered double hydroxide catalysts

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Applied Catalysis B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2008.01.010· OSTI ID:931189

Schumaker, J. Link ^[1]; Crofcheck, Czarena ^[1]; TAckett, S. Adam ^[1]; Santillan-Jimenez, Eduardo ^[1]; Morgan, Tonya ^[1]; Ji, Yaying ^[1]; Crocker, Mark ^[1]; Toops, Todd J ^[2]

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1. University of Kentucky
2. ORNL

The catalytic properties of calcined Li-Al, Mg-Al and Mg-Fe layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were examined in two transesterification reactions, namely, the reaction of glyceryl tributyrate with methanol, and the reaction of soybean oil with methanol. While the Li-Al catalysts showed high activity in these reactions at the reflux temperature of methanol, the Mg-Fe and Mg-Al catalysts exhibited much lower methyl ester yields. CO2 TPD measurements revealed the presence of sites of weak, medium and strong basicity on both Mg-Al and Li-Al catalysts, the latter showing higher concentrations of medium and strong base sites; by implication, these are the main sites active in transesterification catalyzed by calcined Li-Al LDHs. Maximum activity was observed for the Li-Al catalysts when a calcination temperature of 450-500 aC was applied, corresponding to decomposition of the layered double hydroxide to the mixed oxide without formation of crystalline lithium aluminate phases.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Fuels, Engines and Emissions Research Center (FEERC)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; Work for Others (WFO)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 931189
• Journal Information: Applied Catalysis B, Vol. 82, Issue 1-2; ISSN 0926-3373
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ALUMINATES
CALCINATION
CATALYSTS
ESTERS
HYDROXIDES
LITHIUM
METHANOL
OXIDES
SOYBEAN OIL
SYNTHESIS