METHOD OF PRODUCING FATTY ACID ESTER AND GLYCEROL, BIODIESEL CONTAINING FATTY ACID ESTER, AND SOLID CATALYST TO BE USED THEREFOR

摘要

A method of producing a fatty acid ester and glycerol whereby, in producing a fatty acid ester and glycerol by reacting a fat with an alcohol, a catalyst separation step and a product neutralization/washing step, which are shortcomings of the homogeneous phase alkali catalyst method, can be omitted and the production can be conducted in a system at low temperature and atmospheric pressure that is relatively advantageous from the standpoint of production; a biodiesel containing the fatty acid ester produced by the preceding production method; and a solid catalyst having a high activity and being free from elution of metals which can be used in the preceding production method. In a method of producing a fatty acid ester and glycerol from a fat and an alcohol, at least one solid catalyst comprising activated zinc oxide and an alkali carried on the activated zinc oxide is used and the reaction is conducted under mild conditions at atmospheric pressure and 50 to 70oC.