Aplicação da sonocatálise na esterificação de ácidos graxos e obtenção de biodiesel derivado da microalga chlorella vulgaris

Abstract

Here is described the esterification of fatty acids, octanoic acid, decanoic, dodecanoic, tetradecanoic and hexadecanoic with methanol or ethanol via ultrasound irradiation (15-30 minutes) and mild acid conditions. These results were compared with tradicional conditions (reflux, 3-5 hours). The methyl and ethyl esters isolated in sonochemistry conditions showed good yields and excellent purities. The products were identified by CG MS and IR. Also, we investigated the potential of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris to obtain biodiesel straight from the microalgae biomass microscale, which showed 19% lipids and a methyl ester content of 52.6%. The FAME content was confirmed by Gas Chromatography (GC).