TRANSESTERIFICATION OF SUNFLOWER OIL IN-SITU

Methyl esters of sunflowerseed oil fatty acids can be produced satisfa ctorily by reaction with the oil in situ. Experiments were designed to determine how variations in molar ratio of methanol to oil, amount of acidic catalyst, and time and temperature of reaction affected the yi eld and properties of esters. Good results were obtained in mild react ion conditions (temperature 30 degrees C) with a strong acidic catalys t and high molar ratio The fatty ester composition and properties of t he products derived from reactions in situ is essentially the same as that from conventional tranesterification of the pre-extracted oil. It is of obvious importance that the products obtained by in situ reacti on be as suitable as a diesel fuel substitute as those derived from th e conventional treatment. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.