Cobalt catalyst for biodiesel production from acidic raw materials
The use of raw materials with high acidity is one of the options to reduce the production cost of biofuels, such as biodiesel. The reaction commonly used to produce biodiesel is basic transesterification, in which the triglyceride feedstock reacts with an alcohol, in the presence of a catalyst, producing biodiesel and glycerol. This reaction requires raw materials with low fatty acid content, such as soybean, canola, corn and sunflower vegetable oils, to avoid soap formation, emulsions and reduced process efficiency.