Abstract
This study demonstrates the utility of rare-earth metal triflate catalysts (i.e., Sc(OTf) 3 and In(OTf) 3) in the (trans)esterification of oleic acid as well as the lipids contained within carbonized algal biomass using ethanol in the presence of water. Both catalysts are highly active between 200 and 235°C with an ethanol:fatty acid (EtOH:FA) molar ratio of 10-20:1 and showed a high tolerance for moisture. Lipids within hydrochars produced by reacting Chlorella protothecoides paste (25% solids) in high temperature water (220-250°C) were successfully converted into fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE). The highest FAEE yields (85-98%) were obtained when hydrochars were reacted for 60min at 215°C with about 11-13mol% Sc(OTf) 3, a 17-19:1 EtOH:FA molar ratio, and without water. FAEE yields remained as high as 93% in the presence of 9wt.% water. Our preliminary results warrant further work to optimize triflate-catalyzed in situ (trans)esterification at low catalyst and ethanol loadings.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 222-229 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Bioresource technology |
| Volume | 111 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 2012 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Environmental Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Waste Management and Disposal
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