Deacidification of vegetable oils for biodiesel production by heterogeneus catalysis using low temperature and pressure

The deacidification reaction of vegetable oils for biodiesel production has been performed by esterification with methanol and ethanol using commercial acid catalysts, i.e. Amberlyst® (Rhom and Haas). The aim of the work has been the use of low temperature (< 70°C) and room pressure for the process. The research has dealt with different parameters: the kind of vegetable oil, the type and the activation of catalyst, the amount of Free Fatty Acids in the oil, the alcohol, the ratios oil/alcohol/catalyst. The process has been performed both in batch and in continuous way and the time of life of the catalyst has been studied