Novel glycerol-based heterogeneous solid acid catalysts useful for the esterification of fatty acids, a process and use thereof

摘要

The present invention provides a novel glycerol-based heterogeneous solidacid catalyst by simultaneous partial carbonization and sulfonation of crudeglycerol obtained as a by-product during the biodiesel process. Solid acid catalystwith similar activity is also prepared from glycerol pitch (by-product of fatsplitting) and technical grade glycerol. These glycerol-based solid acid catalystsare employed for esterification of fatty acids and fatty acid present in the highand low free fatty acid (FFA) containing vegetable oils like rice bran, karanjaand jatropha; fatty acid distillate; deodorizer distillate and acid oil whichare being used as raw materials for the preparation of biodiesel. These catalystsare highly active, reusable and simplify the biodiesel process particularlyfor fatty acids or high FFA containing vegetable oils by replacing the traditionalhomogeneous mineral acid catalysts.