Catalytic Behavior of La2O3-Promoted SO42-/ZrO2 in the Simultaneous Esterification and Transesterification of Palm Oil

Catalytic behavior of La 2 O 3 promoted SO 4 2- /ZrO 2 (SZ) in the simultaneous esterification and transesterification of palm oil with 10wt% myristic acid was studied. La 2 O 3 (90% purity) derived from domestic monazite ore was introduced into SZ by impregnation method. Effects of La 2 O 3 loading and reaction parameters on the reaction behavior and the conversion were also investigated. The 20%La 2 O 3 -SZ catalyst possessed dual strong basic and acid sites which could efficiently promote both esterification and transesterification reactions. Using the 20%La 2 O 3 -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% and myristic acid methyl ester (MAME) content of 8.41% were achieved. The 20%La 2 O 3 -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.