Mineral-based oxides as solid phase catalysts in the preparation of soybean-based biodiesel

CHED 833

Steven P. Lorimor, Keith Detwieler, and Dan Pfister. Department of Chemistry, Missouri Western State College, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507
Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning diesel replacement fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats. Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons; carbon monoxide and particulate matter in exhaust fumes. This project examined several metal oxides, derived from minerals so as Calcite, Magnesite, and Dolomite, as solid-phase catalysts for their ability to convert the soybean oil to biodiesel. Cost effective solid-phase catalysts can be removed from the reaction mixture by filtrations and, after simple treatment, can be reused repeatedly.