CHARACTERIZATION OF BIODIESEL SAMPLES USING DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF IONIC LIQUID

Abstract

The biodiesel production through Ionic Liquid (IL) catalyzed esterification is studi­e­d. The recovery of IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate ([BMIM] [HSO₄]) is studied. Several esterification reactions of oleic acid were carried out, using a quantity of catalyst of 10 wt%, 15 wt% and 20 wt% relative to the mass of the oleic acid. The results obtained confirm that it is possible to reuse this IL in successive reactions of esterification without a great loss of yield and, with this, to significantly reduce the costs associated with the purchase of these compounds that are quite expensive.