Batch esterification of fatty acids charges under ultrasound irradiation using candida antarctica B immobilized in polyurethane foam

The main objective of this short communication is to show the technical feasibility of biodiesel production using a low-cost polyurethane support for C. antarctica B (CAL-B)immobilization. For this purpose, batch experiments were performed under ultrasound irradiation with enzyme reuse. From the results one can notice conversions to fatty acid ethyl esters up to 81% at 132 W output power, molar ratio of soybean fatty acid charge to ethanol of 1:6 and 10 wt% enzyme loads in 180 min reaction time. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.