Esterification of acetic acid in the presence of sulfated clinoptilolite: a model study of upgrading of pyrolysis bio-oil

ABSTRACT

In this study, the esterification reaction of acetic acid with n-propyl alcohol was studied on a sulfated zeolite catalyst to improve the bio-oil obtained by pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Temperature (323–353 K), sulfuric acid concentration (1–3 M) and time (1–4 hours) were selected as parameters in the preparation of sulfuric acid-modified clinoptilolite samples. Sulfated zeolites samples are characterized by XRF, XRD, and N₂ adsorption/desorption techniques. It was observed that the zeolites treated with sulfuric acid retained their crystal structures, decreased surface areas, and changed SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios. Samples modified with sulfuric acid are more effective in the esterification reaction than unmodified zeolite. The increase in sulfuric acid concentration and temperature in the modification process increased the conversion of acetic acid in the esterification reaction. The highest acetic acid conversion (63.8%) was obtained with zeolite treated at 323 K temperature, 3 M sulfuric acid for 1 hour.

KEYWORDS:

• Bio-oil
• esterification
• sulfated
• clinoptilolite
• upgrading

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Halit L Hoşgün

Halit L Hoşgün was born in Bergama, İzmir. He received his B.S. degree from Anadolu University. His Ph.D. was conferred by the Eskişehir Osmangazi University, in the advisory of Prof. Dr. Mehmet R. Altiokka. He was a postdoctoral study at Middle East Technical University with Prof. Dr. Gürkan Karakaş in 2010-2011. He joined to Faculty of Engineering and Nature Sciences of Bursa Technical University in 2013.