Two-Stage Conversion of Used Cooking Oil to Biodiesel Using Ion Exchange Resins as Catalysts

This study focuses on the development of a novel two-stage (esterification–transesterification) synthesis biodiesel from used cooking oil (UCO) using ion exchange resins as catalysts. Esterification UCO has been conducted various types resin Purolite D5081, hyper cross-linked resin, showed best catalytic performance among all catalysts investigated, with 92% free fatty acid (FFA) conversion. The transesterification pre-treated (P-UCO) was carried out sequentially several acidic and basic In screening process, Diaion PA306s catalyst selected for optimisation study. A triglyceride conversion ca. 75% recorded at optimum reaction conditions (9% (w/w) loading, 328 K temperature, 18:1 methanol to P-UCO feed mole ratio, 350 rpm stirring speed). Furthermore, reusability gave similar after couple cycles without losing its activity. dry purification technique found give lowest percentage glycerides glycerine content and, therefore, chosen route.