Abstract
In this work, a new approach that utilizes CaO-loaded microcapsules as microreactor for biodiesel production is proposed. CaO was encapsulated in amphiphilic alginate by coextrusion technique. When CaO-loaded microcapsules were used, the transesterification of rapeseed oil with methanol gradually proceeded with time, indicating that both oil and methanol passed through the microcapsule shells and the transesterification catalyzed by CaO powder occurred inside the microcapsules. Moreover, the utilization of CaO-loaded microcapsules as a solid base catalyst considerably made the initial induction period shortened and significantly suppressed the dissolution of Ca ion in the reaction mixture rather than CaO powder. The results of reusability tests showed that CaO-loaded microcapsules could be easily separated from the reaction mixture and recycled three times without significant change in catalytic activity. These results indicated that microcapsules have the potential to provide a favorable microenvironment for biodiesel production using solid base catalyst.
