Rapid facile biofuel synthesis by microwave irradiation

Heterogeneously catalyzed syntheses of two promising biofuels (i. e. biodiesel and bioETBE) by microwave irradiation was investigated. Results showed a significant increase in the yield of biodiesel even at short time less than 1 min. The attained bulk temperatures were below 60°C. In case of ETBE synthesis, at a microwave power of 350W, and irradiation time of 1 min, the mixture reached solvothermal conditions obtaining EtOH conversion closed to 90%. The conversion and yield were found to be dependent on operating parameters such as temperature, microwave irradiation power, time and amount of catalysts. The proposed method offer benefits including energy efficiency, development of a compact process, rapid heating and instant on-off process (instant heating-cooling process).