Catálise heterogênea de biodiesel utilizando carvão ativado pilarizado em “blend” de óleos vegetais.

Abstract

Although they are very efficient, the homogeneous catalysts used to obtain biodiesel present problems in the separation process of glycerine, biodiesel and catalyst. Among the heterogeneous catalysts studied, the application of activated carbon as catalytic support has been verified. However, there are no reports in the literature about the use of Pilarized Activated Charcoal as a catalyst in the transesterification process. Castor oil presents with potential in biodiesel production, but its density and viscosity are very high. An alternative found has been the use of blends. The objective of this work was to obtain biodiesel from vegetable oils blend (castor oil and cottonseed oil) by means of heterogeneous catalysis using activated charcoal pillarized as catalyst. The CAs of TM had yields above 25% in all treatments. It was verified acidic character of CAs, between 4.0 and 5.0, and was confirmed with the analysis of Boehm acid. In the determination of BET area results were found between 31.16 mm2/g (T7) and 310.94 mm2/g (T8). The CA's presented a hexagonal structure with formation of tubules, some samples with more defined channels, fibrous cellulosic grooves and pores of different sizes. In the PAC there was a decrease in the surface area and volume of the pores, since they are filled by the aluminum abutments. The use of the blends adjusted some characteristics of the oils, highlighting the decrease in viscosity. For the catalytic tests the blend F3 was used. The blend conversion to Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) ranged from 67.04% (T1) and 89.92% (T8). It was observed that the variables of Temperature and Rotation presented a significant influence on the conversion of Blend to Biodiesel. According to the results, it can be concluded that Pilarized Activated Carbon (CAP) was efficient in the production of biodiesel in the open system.