PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL WITH METHYL ACETATE PRESSURIZED WITHOUT GENERATING GLYCEROL

Abstract

In this review, we consider biodiesel production using the transesterification and interesterification route in pressurized medium. Although the transesterification route is commonly applied in biodiesel production, this process is associated with some drawbacks and these challenges are described in this article. Alternatively, the proposal of biodiesel production through interesterification in pressurized medium was approached, focusing on the use of methyl acetate and promising triacetin production instead of glycerol. The process addressed presents the following positive findings: it requires no catalyst, thus reducing the complexity and costs associated with biodiesel production, if offers a simpler process that is tolerant to various types of vegetable oils, associated with high reaction rates, it allows greater homogeneity of the mixture in the reaction, finally, it provides a higher added value co-product compared to glycerol when it comes to interesterification using methyl acetate as acyl acceptor.