Experimental and modelling studies on continuous synthesis and refining of biodiesel in a dedicated bench scale unit using centrifugal contactor separator technology

Abstract

Continuous synthesis and refining of biodiesel (FAME) using a laboratory scale bench scale unit was explored. The unit consists of three major parts: (i) a continuous centrifugal contactor separator (CCCS) to perform the reaction between sunflower oil and methanol; (ii) a washing unit for the crude FAME with water/acetic acid consisting of a mixer and a liquid-liquid separator; and (iii) a FAME drying unit with air. The continuous setup was successfully used for a 4 h runtime without any operational issues. The CCCS was operated at an oil flow rate of 32 mL/min, rotational speed of 35 Hz, 60°C, a catalyst concentration of 1.2% w/w and a methanol flow rate of 10 mL/min. The flow rate of water (containing 1% w/w acetic acid) for the biodiesel washing unit was 10 mL/min (20°C); the air flow rate (5% humidity) was set at 12 L/min. After 4 h runtime, approximately 7 kg of refined FAME was produced from a cumulative sunflower oil feed of 7.07 kg. The ester content of the refined FAME was 98% w/w (GC). Other relevant product properties were also determined and most were shown to meet the ASTM specifications. The refining section was modelled and optimised using ASPEN software.Practical applications: Synthesis and refining of sunflower biodiesel was successfully performed in a dedicated bench scale unit using centrifugal contactor separator technology. Besides for large scale biodiesel production, this technology has particularly potential to be applied in small mobile biodiesel units due to the compact size, robustness, flexibility in operation and high volumetric productivity of the CCCS devices.

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

“…A 6:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil is used which is equivalent to an input of 3 kg methanol/h to the reactor. The required water for the biodiesel wash unit is set at 7.8 kg/h, which was found the best ratio as reported in our previous study [17]. After drying, 15.0 kg/h biodiesel is produced.…”

“…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].…”

“…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]. From the study, it has been demonstrated that CCCS device is compact, robust and flexible in operation which allows continuous operation even at small scale.…”

A review on community scale stationary and mobile production of biodiesel

“…A screw press is carried out continuously in which the dehulled seeds are typically roasted, conveyed, and milled in-situ (Khan and Hanna, 1983). In contrast, a hydraulic press is operated in a batch mode of operation in which the dehulled seeds are typically crushed and heated at higher temperatures before being pressed at high pressure for a certain time until almost of the oil within the seeds have been recovered (Abduh, 2015;Abduh et al, 2016a).…”