Free fatty acids esterification catalyzed by acid Faujasite type zeolite

The catalytic activity of the protonated form of H-Y(80) zeolite (Faujasite with high Si/Al ratio) was evaluated as an acid catalyst in the esterification step pre-treatment of FFA by means of the esterification reaction of oleic acid with methanol in soybean oil. The zeolite structure was characterized by XRD and FTIR. Textural characterization was carried out by N₂ physisorption. The thermal stability was evaluated by TG-DTA and the acidity measured by NH₃-TPD and Pyridine-FTIR. The limitations of the use of this zeolite in a pre-treatment for biodiesel production was investigated through oleic acid esterification in soybean oil, as a model reaction, performed with different temperatures, catalyst amounts and molar ratios. The results showed that the amount of remaining FFA decreased to values well below the initial amount. Under the optimal reactional conditions, conversions to methyl esters above 95% were achieved. Results support that such reactions can be performed under H-Y(80) zeolite catalysis and can be applied in a pre-treatment esterification of feedstocks with high contents of FFA. Catalyst reuse is feasible due to its easy separation from reaction products allowing new reaction cycles, as well as the application of the H-Y(80) zeolite in biodiesel production.