Synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters via non-catalytic transesterification of avocado oil with dimethyl carbonate

Abstract

This paper is primarily a case study on transesterification of avocado oil for the synthesis of biodiesel. Many operational parameters and components were studied in an attempt to identify the optimal process for non catalytic transesterification, and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), an acyl acceptor was identified as key to one very efficient methodology. Non-catalytic transesterification experiments using DMC and/or methanol (Me0H) were conducted under varied temperatures and varied amounts of silica loading. The maximum yield of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES) of 92.96% was shown to be achievable at 380 degrees C. The miscibility of avocado oil and DMC was seen to be a key factor in providing a strategic means for delaying thermal cracking of FAMES. Lastly, this study reported that the optimal mass ratio of silica to oil was over 8 at 380 degrees C.