SUPERCRYTIC INTERESTERIFICATION OF GERGELIN OIL (Sesamum indicum L.) WITH METILA ACETATE AND ACETIC ACID
Biodiesel, Interesterification, Methyl Acetate, Sesame Oil, Supercritical, Acetic Acid.
Biodiesel has been established as a promising source of renewable energy and substitute for oil and diesel due to its high energy power, because it is biodegradable and for making a "clean burn". The interesterification with methyl acetate is a new technique and has the advantage of producing, in addition to methyl esters (biodiesel), triacetin (product of great market value). The supercritical technology enables the production of biodiesel without the presence of catalysts, eliminating the need for further purification processes. The Sesame (Sesamum inducum L.) is one of the oldest oilseeds known to mankind. Due to the high oil content in its seeds, the sesame has become a possibility for the production of biodiesel. Thus, this work investigated the production of biodiesel through the interesterification reaction of sesame oil with methyl acetate under supercritical conditions. A continuous tubular reactor was used at conditions of 325-375 °C and 150-200 bar, in residence time of 15-55 minutes, with a molar ratio oil/acetate of 1:40. A 28.8% methyl ester yield was obtained at 375 °c, 200 bar in 15 minutes. Moreover, with the addition of 20% acetic acid solution, a better yield was obtained: 46.6% at 325 º C and 150 bar in 55 minutes.