Abstract In this paper, modified zirconias (WZ, SZ, and TiZ) have been extensively compared under the same reaction conditions as catalysts for both the transesterification of triglycerides (TGs) and the esterification of carboxylic acids (free fatty acids, FFAs) with ethanol. In addition, for the first time, the catalyzed rate of hydrolysis/esterification + transesterification of triglyceride…
Biodiesel is synthesized via the transesterification of lipid feedstocks with low molecular weight alcohols. Currently, alkaline bases are used to catalyze the reaction. These catalysts require anhydrous conditions and feedstocks with low levels of free fatty acids (FFAs). Inexpensive feedstocks containing high levels of FFAs cannot be directly used with the base catalysts currently employe…