Acid-Catalyzed Esterification: A Technique for Reducing High Free Fatty Acid in Mixed Crude Palm Oil

摘要

Acid-catalyzed esterification for reducing high free fatty acid (FFA) in mixed crude palm oil (MCPO) was investigated in a constant-temperature hot water bath based on parameters such as the speed of stirrer, the catalyst concentration (H_2SO_4), the molar ratio of methanol to oil and reaction temperature. The samples were analyzed by Thin Layer Chromatography for determining the decrease of FFA in MCPO. The high FFA in MCPO was rapidly reduced to less than 1%wt in the first 30 seconds under the reaction conditions of a 3:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil and 0.8%wt H_2SO_4 at 60℃.