Synthesis of molecular sieve Si-MCM-41 using the design of experiments and application in the transesterification.

• Grant number: 08/03220-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2008
• End date: May 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Dilson Cardoso
• Grantee: Jonas Morselli
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this project is synthesis the mesoporous molecular sieve Si MCM 41, an important material developed by Mobil Oil in 1992, to attend the demand for processing of molecules with very high kinetic diameters. The Si-MCM-41 is a solid with pores in hexagonal arrangement resulting from the polymerization of SiO2 around of the micelles formed by the disposition of the surfactant molecules (CTABr) in the aqueous medium.For this propose, it will be studied the importance of seven different parameters (factors), that influence in the formation of this solid. By using a method of statistical planning of experiments, can be sharply reduced the number of experimental test of synthesis that will be done, necessary for that can find conditions favorable the preparation of material well-structured, as regards their degree of organization and thermal stability, that is, a point of great synthesis.Finally, this material will be evaluated as catalysts in transesterification reactions, using a system which contains esters of methanol and ethyl alcohol or vice versa. This reaction, in your turn, is an important model for the study of the formation of biodiesel from the reaction of triglycerides (vegetable oils and fats) with monoalcohols.