ESTERIFICATION AND TRANSESTERIFICATION ASSISTED BY MICROWAVES OF CRUDE PALM OIL. HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSIS

摘要

Main propose in this study was to obtain alkyl ester from crude palm oil (CPO), using microwaves like heating source, in a process of two stages by means of homogeneous catalysis; the first stage (esterification), was made using sulfuric acid catalyst, to diminish the acid value of the oil, avoiding the soap formation and facilitating the separation of the phases. The second stage (transesterifica-tion) was made using sodium methoxide catalyst. The behavior in the crystallization of the product using differential scanning calorimetry, cloud point ASTM D2500 and pour point ASTM D97 was evaluated. The obtained biofuels fulfill the requirements of the American standards for biodiesel and the propose methodology for the synthesis presents environmental advantages and of increase in the reactivity, as opposed to the traditional methods of heating.