4. Conclusions
The calcined dolomite used as a catalyst showed promising
results for biodiesel production by transesterification reaction of
canola and sunflower oils refined with methanol. The thermal
treatment of dolomite (850 C/3 h) produces small particles of mixture
oxides (CaO and MgO) which are responsible for the observed
catalytic activity. The catalysts based on mixed oxides (CaO and
MgO) showed interesting basic physical properties and an
experimental design showed a feasible tool to analyze the
influence of the variables of conversion of canola and sunflower
oils to biodiesel. The observed catalytic conversions for canola
(98.81 ± 0.02 wt.%) and sunflower (96.52 ± 0.43 wt.%) oils to
biodiesel were very high.