Transesterificación del aceite de palma con metanol por medio de una catálisis heterogénea empleando un catalizador ácido

Transesterification of crude palm oil with methanol was carried out using a Batch reactor under a range of temperature from 129 to 140°C, and a manometric pressure of 6.4-9.4 bars, in the presence of Zinc Oxide. The studied factors were the amount of catalyst and the molar relation of oil:methanol in the reaction. The production of methyl esters was increased with the amount of Zinc Oxide, while the optimal molar relation oil:methanol was 1:30. The greatest yield of methyl esters achieved was 38.75%. The closest Density, Viscosity and Cloud point values to Biodiesel standard values were 0.871 gr/ml, 3.77 cSt y 12°C respectively.