Improved biodiesel manufacture at low temperature and short reaction time

Abstract

a b s t r a c tBiodiesel, which is derived from oil/fat by transesterification with alcohol, has attracted considerable attention over the past decades due to its ability to subsidise fossil fuel derived energy as a renewable and carbon neutral fuel. Several approaches for biodiesel fuel production have been developed, among which transesterification using a catalyst gives high yields of methyl ester. This method has therefore been widely utilized for biodiesel production in a number of countries. In this study, a Downflow Liquid Contactor Reactor (DLCR) has been used for the liquideliquid transesterification reaction of sunflower oil with alcohol with extraordinary results. The reactor provides great potential for chemical reactions, which are normally limited by mass transfer and possesses a number of distinctive advantages over conventional multiphase reactors. Inside the reactor a high velocity liquid jet stream is produced which generates powerful shear and energy, causing vigorous agitation in the upper part of the reactor. The high mixing intensity in the DLCR enabled the manufacture of biodiesel to European Standard EN14214 (ester content 96.5%) in 2.5 min at 40 C with 0.43 wt.% alkali catalyst and alcohol to oil molar ratio of 4.5 to 1.0. The separation of FAME from glycerol is done by gravity settling only without water washing. The effect of the alcohol type (methanol, ethanol) on biodiesel yield was also investigated. The process offers the advantage of continuous large scale production with limited reactor volume.

Process intensification in biodiesel production with energy reduction by pinch analysis

“…The temperature and excess of methanol are more useful to favour phase mixing than to displace the reaction equilibrium towards biodiesel formation [3]. This statement is in agreement with experimental results, when mixing is produced by ultrasounds [4], or in supercritical conditions [5], or when using reactors that provide an intensive mixing [6]. All these techniques require an excess of methanol.…”

Combustion characteristics of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) oil in a partial premixed charge compression ignition engine

“…As Reported by Alenezi et al [7] biodiesel is one of the significant biofuels in the EU, which comprises 80% of the total biofuel production. In EU around 4 million hectares of arable land is used for producing biodiesel.…”

Synthesis of Hydro-Sodalite as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Reaction Kinetics of Soybean Oil Trans-Esterification

“…Global trends point towards reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing environmental awareness has motivated the search for biodiesel fuels capable of replacing petroleum diesel [1][2][3]. Biodiesel is a mono alkyl ester of fatty acids produced from vegetable oils or animal fats; it is environmentally friendly and can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels [2,4].…”