scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Author

Kaewta Suwannakarn

Bio: Kaewta Suwannakarn is an academic researcher from Clemson University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catalysis & Methanol. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 8 publications receiving 2251 citations.

Papers
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the research related to biodiesel can be found in this paper, where solid acid catalysts are used to replace liquid acids, reducing the corrosion and environmental problems associated with them.
Abstract: Biodiesel is synthesized via the transesterification of lipid feedstocks with low molecular weight alcohols. Currently, alkaline bases are used to catalyze the reaction. These catalysts require anhydrous conditions and feedstocks with low levels of free fatty acids (FFAs). Inexpensive feedstocks containing high levels of FFAs cannot be directly used with the base catalysts currently employed. Strong liquid acid catalysts are less sensitive to FFAs and can simultaneously conduct esterification and transesterification. However, they are slower and necessitate higher reaction temperatures. Nonetheless, acid-catalyzed processes could produce biodiesel from low-cost feedstocks, lowering production costs. Better yet, if solid acid catalysts could replace liquid acids, the corrosion and environmental problems associated with them could be avoided and product purification protocols reduced, significantly simplifying biodiesel production and reducing cost. This article reviews some of the research related to biodi...

1,606 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the activation/deactivation behaviors of sulfonated carbon catalysts were investigated through the esterification of free fatty acids (acetic acid and caprylic acid) and transesterification of triglycerides (triacetin, tricaprylin and soybean oil) with methanol.

271 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the catalytic activity of the strong solid acid tungstated zirconia (WZ) was studied for the esterification of acetic acid and the transesterification of triacetin (a synthetic triglyceride in the liquid phase) with methanol.

240 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a commercial SZ catalyst was investigated for liquid phase transesterification of triglycerides at 120°C and 6.8°C in a Parr batch reactor, and it was found that the catalytic activity for TCP conversion decreased as the number of carbons in the alkyl chain of alcohol increased.

142 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive comparison of the intrinsic catalysts in terms of turnover frequency (TOF) is reported for the gas-phase esterification of acetic acid with methanol.
Abstract: For the first time, a comprehensive comparison of the intrinsic activities of solid acid catalysts in terms of turnover frequency (TOF) is reported for the gas-phase esterification of acetic acid with methanol. The catalysts studied included a zeolite (Hβ), two modified zirconias (sulfated zirconia, SZ; and tungstated zirconia, WZ), and an acidic resin-silica composite (Nafion/silica, SAC-13). Activities on a per weight basis decreased in the following order: Hβ ∼ SAC-13 ≫ SZ > WZ at 130 °C. However, on a rate-per-site basis (TOF), all catalysts showed comparable activities. The TOF results suggest that the acid sites of these catalysts have similar capacity for effectively catalyzing esterification. All catalysts deactivated to a quasi-steady-state rate with TOS. Regeneration experiments suggested that catalyst deactivation was due mainly to site blockage by carbonaceous deposits. Selective poisoning experiments showed that the reaction predominately took place on Bronsted acid sites.

43 citations


Cited by
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of catalytic strategies to produce bio-fuels from aqueous solutions of carbohydrates, which are isolated through biomass pretreatment and hydrolysis is presented in this paper.

2,008 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An up-to-date review of the literature available on the subject of liquid bio-fuels can be found in this article, which includes information based on the research conducted globally by scientists according to their local socio-cultural and economic situations.

1,948 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the source of production and characterization of vegetable oils and their methyl ester as the substitute of the petroleum fuel and future possibilities of Biodiesel production.
Abstract: The world is confronted with the twin crises of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. The indiscriminate extraction and consumption of fossil fuels have led to a reduction in petroleum reserves. Petroleum based fuels are obtained from limited reserves. These finite reserves are highly concentrated in certain region of the world. Therefore, those countries not having these resources are facing a foreign exchange crisis, mainly due to the import of crude petroleum oil. Hence it is necessary to look for alternative fuels, which can be produced from materials available within the country. Although vegetative oils can be fuel for diesel engines, but their high viscosities, low volatilities and poor cold flow properties have led to the investigation of its various derivatives. Among the different possible sources, fatty acid methyl esters, known as Biodiesel fuel derived from triglycerides (vegetable oil and animal fates) by transesterification with methanol, present the promising alternative substitute to diesel fuels and have received the most attention now a day. The main advantages of using Biodiesel are its renewability, better quality exhaust gas emission, its biodegradability and the organic carbon present in it is photosynthetic in origin. It does not contribute to a rise in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and consequently to the green house effect. This paper reviews the source of production and characterization of vegetable oils and their methyl ester as the substitute of the petroleum fuel and future possibilities of Biodiesel production.

1,250 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the methods for the transesterification of waste cooking oil and the performance of biodiesel obtained from waste cooking oils in a commercial diesel engine is presented, and the effects of the products formed in the frying process on biodiesel quality are examined.
Abstract: Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) is a nontoxic and biodegradable alternative fuel that is obtained from renewable sources. A major hurdle in the commercialization of biodiesel from virgin oil, in comparison to petroleum-based diesel fuel, is its cost of manufacturing, primarily the raw material cost. Used cooking oil is one of the economical sources for biodiesel production. However, the products formed during frying, such as free fatty acid and some polymerized triglycerides, can affect the transesterification reaction and the biodiesel properties. Apart from this phenomenon, the biodiesel obtained from waste cooking oil gives better engine performance and less emissions when tested on commercial diesel engines. The present paper attempts to review methods for the transesterification of waste cooking oil and the performance of biodiesel obtained from waste cooking oil in a commercial diesel engine. The paper also examines the basic chemistry involved during frying and the effects of the products formed in the frying process on biodiesel quality.

1,166 citations