Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy (JMPEE)
TITLE	Reaction Between Methanol and Commercial Seed Oils Under Microwave Irradiation [PDF]
AUTHORS	A.Breccia, B.Esposito, G. Breccia Fratadocchi and A.Fini 1999 34 1 2-7
YEAR
VOLUME
ISSUE
PAGES
Abstract The transformation of triglycerides, contained in a commercial seed oil into methyl esters, was studied in the presence of microwave irradiation and the results were compared with those obtained using traditional methods. This reaction is quite rapid using conventional and microwave heating; shorter reaction times were observed under microwaves in the presence of a variety of catalysts and the reaction was found practically complete in less than 2 minutes in most cases. Longer irradiation times in the absence of catalysts yielded increasing amounts of free acids, as detected by gas chromatography. The catalytic behaviour of sodium methylate, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sulfuric acid, benzensulfonic acid and boron carbide was briefly discussed. The carbide provides an effective catalysis of the trans-esterification in the presence of microwaves, without leaving traces of acidic or basic by-products. A lab scale plant for a continuous transesterification process was also described. Key Words: Transmethylation reaction; triglycerides; biodiesel; catalysts