The castor oil was adopted to synthesize biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester, FAME) under microwave radiation. Acid catalysts (NaHSO4H2O and AlCl3) and heterogeneous base catalyst (Na2CO3) were evaluated in the present study. The amounts of FAME in the product were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Experimental results show that the microwave radiation was an efficient method to enhance the reaction process. When the transesterification was carried out at 338 K, with 18:1 molar ratio of methanol to castor oil, 7.5wt% mass ratio of catalyst to castor oil, 200w microwave radiation power and 120 minutes reaction time, yields of 74, 73, 90% were obtained respectively using catalysts of NaHSO4H2O, AlCl3 and Na2CO3. The energy consumed by microwave heating and conventional heating in transesterification were measured, and the results showed that the microwave heating consumed less energy than the conventional heating to achieve the same amount of FAME.

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Synthesis of Biodiesel Using Castor Oil under Microwave Radiation
1Xi’an Jiaotong University and North University of Nationalities, yuan.hong@stu.xjtu.edu.cn
2Xi’an Jiaotong University, blunyang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn
3Xi’an Jiaotong University, helboys.net@stu.xjtu.edu.cn
4Xi’an Jiaotong University, x.w.zhou.chem@hotmail.com
Citation Information: International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering. Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages –, ISSN (Online) 1542-6580, DOI: 10.1515/1542-6580.2562, July 2011
Publication History:
- Published Online:
- 2011-07-23
Keywords: biodiesel; castor oil; microwave radiation; solid base catalyst; acid catalyst


















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