A carbon-based sulfonated catalyst was prepared by direct sulfonation and carbonization (in moderate conditions: 200 degrees C, 12 h) of red liquor solids, a by-product of paper-making process. The prepared sulfonated catalyst (SC) had aromatic structure, composed of carbon enriched inner core, and oxygen-containing (SO3II, COOII, OII) groups enriched surface. The SO3II, COOII, OII groups amounted to 0.74 mmol g(-1), 0.78 mmol u g-1, 2.18 mmol g(-1), respectively. The fresh SC showed much higher catalytic activity than that of the traditional solid acid catalysts (strong-acid 732 cation exchange resin, hydrogen type zeolite socony mobile-five (HZSM-5), sulfated zirconia) in esterification of oleic acid. SC was deactivated during the reactions, through the mechanisms of leaching of sulfonated species and formation of sulfonate esters. Two regeneration methods were developed, and the catalytic activity can be mostly regenerated by regeneration Method 1 and be fully regenerated by regeneration Method 2, respectively.