Transesterification of cottonseed oil and used frying oil with methanol has been examined in a heterogeneous system, using alumina loaded with Sr(NO3)2 as solid base catalyst. Strontium nitrate was loaded onto alumina by an impregnation method from aqueous solution. Prior to each reaction, the catalysts were calcined. The catalysts obtained with different Sr(NO3)2  loading amounts of 15 to 45 wt%. All transesterification reactions were carried at atmospheric pressure. The influence of catalyst preparation conditions and reaction variables such as catalyst concentration, oil to methanol ratio, reaction temperature and time on the conversion of cottonseed and used frying oil were investigated. Alumina loaded with strontium nitrate was demonstrated to be a strong solid-base catalyst for the transesterification of two vegetable oils with methanol. Catalyst with 30 wt.% Sr(NO3)2 loaded on Al2O3 calcinated at 700 �C for 6 h was the optimum catalyst, with conversions higher than 97%. Experimental results showed that catalyst may be used three times for the conversion of oils that have a small free fatty acid and water content.

Single step transesterification of cottonseed oil and used frying oil using heterogeneous Sr(NO3)2/Al2O3 catalyst

244th National Meeting (2012)

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