Esterification of stearic acid for biodiesel production in the presence of homogeneous milder organic acid as a catalyst

Uday M. Ratnaparkhi and Krishn

Abstract

To study fatty acid esterification process, stearic acid esterification with low aliphatic alcohols like methanol, ethanol etc. was studied in batch reactor using oxalic acid, homogeneous milder organic acid as a catalyst. Methyl stearate formation was observed by change in acid value. It was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The process parameters including recovery and reusability were studied and optimized.