Study on Preparation of Biodiesel with Monomer Acid

An esterification reaction of monomer acid with methanol using p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst for the preparation of biodiesel was studied. The process variables that influence the esterification of monomer acid, such as catalyst concentration, molar ratio of methanol to acid, reaction time and reaction temperature, were investigated and optimized. Through the single factor experiment, the optimum conditions obtained for the esterification were molar ratio of methanol to acid 3:1, usage amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid 6% and reaction time 3h, reaction temperature 70°C.The produced biodiesel was found to exhibit fuel properties within the limits prescribed by the latest American Standards for Testing Material (ASTM) and 0#diesel oil.