FABRICATION OF SOLID ACID CATALYST La,Zn/-Al2O3 FOR THE PREPARATION OF BIODIESEL FROM USED BEEF TALLOW WITH HIGH FREE FATTY ACID

Abstract

    The catalytic system La,Zn/γ-Al2O3 was synthesized, and then physically characterized by XRD, TPD- NH3, BET, EDX methods. As seen from results of physical characterization, the synthesized La,Zn/-Al2O3 material owns large surface area of 185.93 m2/g, mean capillary diameter of 13.76 nm, and capillary volume of  0.83 cm³/g. The presence of La, Zn creates strong acid sites on the catalyst surface, corresponding to the NH3 desorption temperature at 519.60C. The transesterification, catalyzed by the above synthesized La,Zn/γ-Al2O3,of methanol with beef tallow at the volumratio of methanol to fat of 4:1was carried out at 65 0C for 8 hours, reaction efficiency was 99%.  Key words: Biodiesel;  γ-Al2O3; transesterification;mesoporous material; solid acid catalysts