Catalytic behavior of La2O3-promoted SO42−/ZrO2in the simultaneous esterification and transesterification of palm oil

Catalytic behavior of La2O3promoted SO42−/ZrO 2(SZ) in the simultaneous esterification and transesterification of palm oil with 10 wt% myristic acid was studied. La2O3(90 wt% purity) derived from domestic monazite ore was introduced into SZ by impregnation method. Effects of La2O3loading and reaction parameters on the reaction behavior and the conversion were also investigated. The 20 wt%La2O3-SZ catalyst possessed dual strong basic and acid sites which could efficiently promote both esterification and transesterification reactions. Using the 20 wt%La2O3-SZ catalyst, the initial reaction rate of esterification and transesterification reactions was faster, and equilibrium was reached faster. The equilibrium of total fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content of 74.51 wt% and myristic acid methyl ester (MAME) content of 8.41 wt% were achieved. The 20 wt%La2O3-SZ catalyst maintained a relatively stable catalytic behavior during three reaction cycles. No significant loss in catalyst activity for esterification reaction was observed after reusing the catalyst five times without regeneration.