Glycerol is a by-product of biodiesel produced by transesterification and is contained in the glycerol phase together with many other materials such as soaps, remaining catalyst, water, and esters formed during the process. The content of glycerol is approximately 30-60 wt.%. In this paper, treatments of the glycerol phase to obtain glycerol with a purity of 86 wt.% (without distillation) and a mixture of fatty acids with esters (1:1) or only a mixture of fatty acids with a purity of 99 wt% are presented. The treatment was carried out by removing of alkaline substances and esters. Fatty acids were produced by saponification of the remaining esters and subsequent neutralization of alkaline substances by phosphoric, sulfuric, hydrochloric or acetic acids. Salts are by-products and, in the case of phosphoric acid can be used as potash-phosphate fertilizer. The process of treatment is easy and environmentally friendly, because no special chemicals or equipment are required and all products are utilizable.

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SummaryThe aim of this work is to study the transesterification of vegetable oils with a high acid number. Rapeseed oil was used as the raw material and its acid number was changed by the adding of oleic acid (from 0.89 to 12.25 mg KOH/g). Methanol was used for transesterification (molar ratio of oil to methanol 1:6) and potassium hydroxide was used as a catalyst. After the reaction time, the residue of catalyst was neutralized by gaseous carbon dioxide and methanol excess was removed. After the separation of two phases, each of them was analyzed (in ester phase: yield, content of methylester and acid number; in glycerol phase: yield, density, viscosity, content of glycerol, soaps, methylester, potassium carbonate and hydrogen carbonate). The obtained data was compared with theoretical material balances and effect on saponification of oil was calculated. The results show that the yield of methylester (biodiesel) is significantly affected by higher acid number, as well as enhanced soap formation. On the other hand, the conversion of the oil and acid number of the ester phase remain at constant values in studied borders.

This review paper summarizes the current state-of-the-art of the chemical transformation of oils/fats (i.e., triacylglycerols) to the use of biofuels or bio-lubricants in the means of transport, which is a novelty. The chemical transformation is necessary to obtain products that are more usable with properties corresponding to fuels synthesized from crude oil. Two types of fuels are described—biodiesel (the mixture of methyl esters produced by transesterification) and green diesel (paraffins produced by hydrogenation of oils). Moreover, three bio-lubricant synthesis methods are described. The transformation, which is usually catalysed, depends on: (i) the type and composition of the raw material, including alcohols for biodiesel production and hydrogen for green diesel; (ii) the type of the catalyst in the case of catalysed reactions; (iii) the reaction conditions; and (iv) types of final products. The most important catalysts, especially heterogeneous and including reaction conditions, for each product are described. The properties of biodiesel and green diesel and a comparison with diesel from crude oil are also discussed.

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