Synthesis of FAME from the methanolysis of palm fatty acid distillate using highly active solid oxide acid catalyst

The esterification of non-edible, low cost palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) with methanol has been studied in heterogeneous process using ZrFeTiO, ZrFeO, and FeTiO catalysts at temperature range of 110–200 °C. The catalysts prepared by sol–gel synthesis procedure were characterized by N2 adsorption, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and SEM/EDX. All catalysts exhibited high catalytic activity in PFAD esterification with methanol. The highest conversion to methyl esters, 96.54%, was achieved using ZrFeTiO catalyst calcined at 600 °C for 4 h after 5 h of reaction at 170 °C, 3 wt.% of catalyst loading, and methanol to oil ratio of 3:1. The catalysts were separated easily from reaction mixture and minimal leaching of active species to the reaction medium is found. It can be used in four successive reactions with stable conversions. Regeneration and reuse are feasible and easy to perform.