Synthesis of biodiesel from canola oil using heterogeneous base catalyst

A series of alkali metal (Li, Na, K) promoted alkali earth oxides (CaO, BaO, MgO), as well as K2CO3 supported on alumina (Al2O3), were prepared and used as catalysts for transesterification of canola oil with methanol. Four catalysts such as K2CO3/Al2O3 and alkali metal (Li, Na, K) promoted BaO were effective for transesterification with > 85 wt% of methyl esters. ICP-MS analysis revealed that leaching of barium in ester phase was too high (similar to 1,000 ppm) when BaO based catalysts were used. As barium is highly toxic, these catalysts were not used further for transesterification of canola oil. Optimization of reaction conditions such as molar ratio of alcohol to oil (6:1-12:1), reaction temperature (40-60 degrees C) and catalyst loading (1-3 wt%) was performed for most efficient and environmentally friendly K2CO3/Al2O3 catalyst to maximize ester yield using response surface methodology (RSM). The RSM suggested that a molar ratio of alcohol to oil 11.48:1, a reaction temperature of 60 degrees C, and catalyst loading 3.16 wt% were optimum for the production of ester from canola oil. The predicted value of ester yield was 96.3 wt% in 2 h, which was in agreement with the experimental results within 1.28%.