Abstract: Magnetic solid base catalyst CaO/Fe3O4 made by calcination method was used in the transesterification of palm oil with methanol to prepare bio-diesel fuel. The process parameters of the transesterification were investigated and the optimal reaction conditions were obtained. Under the conditions of a molar ratio of methanol to oil of 8, a catalyst dosage of 4%, a reaction temperature of 65°C and a reaction time of 2 h, the yield of fatty acid methyl ester in the product reached 98.2% and the quality of the obtained bio-diesel fuel met the requirement of National Standard GB/T 20828-2007. Furthermore, after repeat using the catalyst for 8 times the content of fatty acid methyl ester in the product was still 96.5%.

Key words: Solid base catalyst, Transesterification, Biodiesel, Palm oil