Production, characterization and application of ternary phase diagrams for the purification of biodiesel produced from tropical almond seed oil

Abstract

This study presents the application of ternary phase diagrams to tropical almond biodiesel components separation and purification at two temperatures. The seed oil was extracted mechanically and alkaline transesterified to produce biodiesel. The oil and biodiesel were characterized using standard methods. Tie lines and binodal solubility curve data were determined using modified cloud point titration procedures. Gas chromatographic method was employed in the analysis of the phase compositions. The mixture of biodiesel, methanol and glycerol were investigated at 20 °C, 30 °C and withdrawal times of 2 to 32 minutes at 2 minutes intervals. Distribution coefficient, K and solvent selectivity, S analysis were performed. Results obtained showed that S > 1 indicating the ability of methanol to promote phase separation and purification. K < 1 implying that there was lower quantities of methanol solubilized in the biodiesel phase. The ternary phase diagrams provided the means of predicting the components distribution.
 Keywords: Production, Characterization, Tropical Almond Biodiesel, Purification, Ternary Phase Diagram

Experimental and theoretical assessment of phenomena linked with separation and purification of biodiesel from Ricinus communis seed oil

“…After twenty-four (24) hours of idleness, equilibrium was observed to have been achieved as the homogeneous mixture had separated into two liquid phases as also reported by Refs. [ 17 , 41 , 85 , 87 , 91 ]. These were castor biodiesel's seed oil extract phase and glycerol raffinate phase.…”

“…Consequently, there is a necessity to adopt a cleaner, green, and environmentally friendly tactic for a sustainable environment, and the extant and future generations of humans benefit that being devoid of any environmental pollution. Hence, the use of plant-based materials for the production of renewable fuels has been heralded by many researchers because of the several advantages they portend [ [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] ].…”

“…Industrial production of biodiesel is usually hindered due to component separation challenges in the homogeneous mixture system [ 26 , 27 ]. Other challenges include understanding the phenomena associated with the equilibrium behavior of the homogeneous mixture when the alcohol transits from the raffinate glycerol phase to the extract biodiesel phase during alcohol regeneration [ 28 , 29 ]. Essentially, differences in density are mostly linked to the immiscibility of the biodiesel and glycerol phases and thus, separation of the two-phase components requires greater time, resources, energy, and capital investment for a continuous biodiesel production and processing plant [ 30 , 31 ].…”

“…Essentially, differences in density are mostly linked to the immiscibility of the biodiesel and glycerol phases and thus, separation of the two-phase components requires greater time, resources, energy, and capital investment for a continuous biodiesel production and processing plant [ 30 , 31 ]. In this regard, the separation and purification of biodiesel from glycerol become the limiting step in the manufacture of biodiesel which requires the development of viable options and far-reaching research [ 29 , 32 , 33 ]. These choices enhance the design options and optimization objectives for emerging novel biodiesel production processes [ [34] , [35] , [36] ].…”

“…[ 53 , 54 ] have been carried out. Phase components distribution and composition modeling have been carried out by different researchers [ 16 , 17 ] and the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry evaluation on plant-based materials had also been employed [ 50 , 55 ]. Nonetheless, studies on the utilization of Ricinus communis - castor seed oil mainly looked at the characterization and possible biorefinery for the production of ethanol, biogas, and biodiesel [ 50 , 52 , 56 ].…”