A transesterification reaction of canola oil and ethanol solvent was conducted using an anionic resin catalyst yielding ethyl ester based biodiesel. A catalyst column was prepared by packing a bed of anion-exchange resin in a chromatography column. A wash of ethoxide was prepared and percolated through the bed of resin to activate the resin with catalytic hydroxide groups. Upon washing away excess ethoxide, a continuous flow of oil and ethanol was run through the resin’s active sites yielding a conversion of oil to biodiesel without the need for extra filtration or washing. Upon reaction completion, a regeneration method can be used to prepare the resin for further transesterification reactions.

Investigation of transesterification of canola oil using basic ion exchange resin

249th National Meeting (2015)

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