Selection of Prediction Methods for Thermophysical Properties for Process Modeling and Product Design of Biodiesel Manufacturing

Abstract

To optimize biodiesel manufacturing, many reported studies have built simulation models to quantify the relationship between operating conditions and process performance. For mass and energy balance simulations, it is essential to know the four fundamental thermophysical properties of the feed oil: liquid density (ρ L ), vapor pressure (P vap ), liquid heat capacity (C p L ), and heat of vaporization (ΔH vap ). Additionally, to characterize the fuel qualities, it is critical to develop quantitative correlations to predict three biodiesel properties, namely, viscosity, cetane number, and flash point. Also, to ensure the operability of biodiesel in cold weather, one needs to quantitatively predict three low-temperature flow properties: cloud point (CP), pour point (PP), and cold filter plugging point (CFPP). This article presents the results from a comprehensive evaluation of the methods for predicting these four essential feed oil properties and six key biodiesel fuel properties. We compare the predictions to reported experimental data and recommend the appropriate prediction methods for each property based on accuracy, consistency, and generality. Of particular significance are (1) our presentation of simple and accurate methods for predicting the six key fuel properties based on the number of carbon atoms and the number of double bonds or the composition of total unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and (2) our posting of the Excel spreadsheets for implementing all of the evaluated accurate prediction methods on our group website (www.design.che.vt.edu) for the reader to download without charge.ii Acknowledgement

Simultaneous lipid production and dairy wastewater treatment using Rhodococcus opacus in a batch bioreactor for potential biodiesel application

“…Interestingly, 24 many species belonging to Rhodococcus, such as Rhodococcus ruber, 25 Rhodococcus erythropolis and Rhodococcus fascians are capable of 26 synthesizing triacylglycerol (TAG) as a storage compound for their 27 carbon and energy [7,8]. These act as true storage compounds that 28 are mobilized in the absence of an extracellular carbon source [9], 29 and can, therefore, act as an alternative non-food oil feedstock for 30 the biodiesel industry. These microbial oils differ in composition 31 and properties depending on the organism and substrate used 32 [10,11].…”

“…However, the cetane number and 405 viscosity of the biodiesel produced by ex-situ transesterification 406 were better compared to those of the in-situ transesterified 407 product. In general, a high viscosity of biodiesel is responsible for 408 reduced flow property, high thickness and engine damage, 409 whereas engine knocking, smoke, odour and ignition delay are 410 indicated by its cetane number [29,30]. Biodiesel obtained from ex- …”

Partial Hydrogenation of Calophyllum Inophyllum Methyl Esters to Increase the Oxidation Stability

“…Based on SNI 7182-2012, the hydrogenated biodiesel that met the requirements was HCIME treated with a reaction time of 1 h and reaction temperature of 120°C (the cetane number value was 51.17). The increase in cetane number was due to the increased content of mono-unsaturated and saturated FAME (C18: 1 and C18: 0) as Bamgboye and Hansen [12] have reported that the cetane number of saturated and mono-unsaturated FAME is higher than that of polyunsaturated FAME.…”

“…The equations to calculate CP, PP, and CFPP were based on content of unsaturated FAME (wt%). Both CP and PP equations were obtained from Sarin, et al [11], while, the CFPP equation was obtained from Su, et al [12]. Table 5 Empirical Equations to Predict FAME Properties.…”

“…Table 5 Empirical Equations to Predict FAME Properties. Cloud Point (CP) CP = A x U FAME + B A = -0.576; B = 48.255; U FAME = content of unsaturated FAME [11] Pour Point (PP) PP = A x U FAME + B A = -0.626; B = 45.594 [11] Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) CFPP = -0.561 x US + 43.967 US = unsaturated FAME content for biodiesel [12] Viscosity (VC) ln (η mix ) = ∑ Xi f(η) Xi = Mass fraction of each FAME compositions; η = Viscosity value of each FAME composition. The viscosity (VC) equation was obtained from Clements [13] and based on the viscosity value of all FAME.…”