Free fatty acids esterification catalyzed by acid Faujasite type zeolite

-TPD and Pyridine-FTIR. The limitations of the use of this zeolite in a pre-treatment for biodiesel production was investigated through oleic acid esterification in soybean oil, as a model reaction, performed with different temperatures, catalyst amounts and molar ratios. The results showed that the amount of remaining FFA decreased to values well below the initial amount. Under the optimal reactional conditions, conversions to methyl esters above 95% were achieved. Results support that such reactions can be performed under H-Y(80) zeolite catalysis and can be applied in a pre-treatment esterification of feedstocks with high contents of FFA. Catalyst reuse is feasible due to its easy separation from reaction products allowing new reaction cycles, as well as the application of the H-Y(80) zeolite in biodiesel production.