Biodiesel synthesis from Jatropha curcas L. oil and ethanol in a continuous centrifugal contactor separator

Abstract

The synthesis of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) from Jatropha curcas L. oil was studied in a batch reactor and a continuous centrifugal contactor separator (CCCS) using sodium ethoxide as the catalyst. The effect of relevant process variables like rotational speed, temperature, catalyst concentration, and molar ratio of ethanol to oil was investigated. Maximum yield of FAEE was 98 mol% for both the batch (70°C, 600 rpm, 0.8% w/w of sodium ethoxide) and CCCS reactor configuration (60°C, 2100 rpm, 1% w/w of sodium ethoxide, oil feed 28 mL/min). The volumetric production rate of FAEE in the CCCS at optimum conditions was 112 kgFAEE/m3liquid · min.Practical applications: The Jatropha curcas L. shrub produces a non‐edible oil in yields up to 1.5 ton/(ha. y), which is known to be suitable for biodiesel synthesis. We here report an experimental study on the synthesis of jatropha biodiesel using ethanol instead of methanol as the alcohol source. Ethanol is accessible from biomass by fermentation and as such a green alternative for methanol. In addition, it is more readily available in developing countries than methanol. Biodiesel synthesis was performed in a CSSS, a continuous device that integrates reaction and separation. The device has potential to be applied in small scale mobile biodiesel technology due to its compact size, robustness, flexibility in operation, and high volumetric productivities.

Synthesis and properties of cross‐linked polymers from epoxidized rubber seed oil and triethylenetetramine

“…The fatty acid composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) using a Hewlett‐Packard 5890 series II Plus device. A detailed description of the GC method is described elsewhere …”

“…The acid value of the sample was measured by an acid–base titration using phenolphthalein as the indicator. A detailed description of the method is described elsewhere …”

Combi-protein coated microcrystals of lipases for production of biodiesel from oil from spent coffee grounds

“…The global shortage of fossil fuels and environmental concerns has sustained the interest in biodiesel production [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Biodiesel is a mixture of esters of long chain fatty acids and short chain monohydric alcohols (MeOH or EtOH).…”

Techno-Economic Analysis for Small Scale Production of Rubber Seed Oil and Biodiesel in Palangkaraya, Indonesia

“…CCCS is basically a device that integrates reaction and separation of liquid-liquid systems in a single device. Detailed description of the CCCS is described elsewhere [15]- [17]. Experimental and modelling studies on continuous synthesis and refining of biodiesel in a dedicated bench scale unit using CCCS technology has been reported by Abduh et al [17].…”