Biodiesel Production from Macroalgae (Fucus Vesiculosus) Oil Using Magnetic Catalyst Based on K2co3/ G -Al2o3/Sepiolite/Cofe2o4

In this paper, a novel magnetic catalyst with hollow cylinder shape based on K 2 CO 3 /g-Al 2 O 3 /Sepiolite/CoFe 2 O 4 was prepared seeking to convert macroalgal oil (Fucus vesiculosus) into biodiesel. The magnetic catalyst was formulated by the extrusion and characterized satisfactorily by physical-chemical (mechanical strength, XRD, TG/DTG, FTIR and TPD-CO 2 ), magnetic (VSM), morphological (SEM) and textural properties (BET). The catalytic performance of these magnetic particles was also evaluated at 70ºC, oil: alcohol molar ratio 1:12 and 6 %wt of catalyst in three different reactions systems for comparative purposes: a) conventional stirred reactor; b) fluidized bed reactor and c) fluidized bed reactor assisted by a magnetic field. The reactors were operated in a close loop, recycling the reactional medium through a centrifuge pump as a strategy that can be used to implement this technology on an industrial scale. Total conversion (>99%) was observed in all cases after 2h of reaction without significant differences between the different reactors without diffusional limitations. The magnetic properties of this magnetic catalyst allowed the bed stabilization under magnetic field and the catalysts separation and recovery at the end reaction showing their potential for biodiesel production respect homogeneous catalysis.