Synthesis of different heteropoly acid catalysts for transesterification of bio-derived glycerol to produce oxygenated fuel additive for energy utilization

Biofuel additive catalytic activity was tested by supported heteropoly acid at different composition on bentonite, mobil composition of matter no. 41 (MCM-41) materials. It has been found that catalyst activity is affected by each dodecatungsto-phosphoric acid (DTP) concentration and types of support. Maximum selectivity towards di- and triacetin was observed with increasing concentration of DTP from 10 to 60% with MCM-41 and BNT support. Prepared catalyst with 60% DTP/BNT was showed maximum selectivity towards di- and triacetin about 94%. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, and TGA/DTA analysis. The various trials on 1% and 2% mixture of the major product (di- + triacetin) additive obtained from esterification of glycerol biomass with acetic acid via 60% DTP/BNT catalyst to check characteristics of biofuels additive. The product has 2% (di- + triacetin) blend showed excellent performance as compared with conventional diesel biofuel additives.

Automated summary

The catalytic activity of biofuel additive was tested using supported heteropoly acid on bentonite and MCM-41 materials of different compositions. The results showed that the activity of the catalyst was influenced by the concentration of dodecatungsto-phosphoric acid (DTP) and the type of support material. The maximum selectivity towards di- and triacetin was achieved with a concentration of 60% DTP/BNT. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, FT-IR, and TGA/DTA analysis. Various trials were conducted on a mixture of the major product obtained from the esterification of glycerol biomass with acetic acid using the 60% DTP/BNT catalyst to evaluate the characteristics of the biofuel additive. The product showed excellent performance compared to conventional diesel biofuel additives.