Single-Phase and Two-Phase Base-Catalyzed Transesterification of Canola Oil to Fatty Acid Methyl Esters at Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Experiments were performed at ambient temperature to investigate mass transfer during the transesterification reaction of canola oil with methanol (MeOH) to form fatty acid methyl esters by use of a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) base catalyst. Reactions were conducted at two NaOH catalyst concentrations under quiescent conditions, agitated two-phase conditions, and agitated single-phase conditions that were achieved by the addition of a solvent, tetrahydrofuran. A MeOH to oil molar ratio of 6:1 was employed. Small conversions, at ambient conditions, accentuated the effects of mass transfer on the transesterification reaction. For twophase reactions, it was postulated that the reaction occurred at the interface between the two phases. The influence of mass transfer was indicated by the increased reaction rate resulting from (a) stirring a two-phase reaction mixture and (b) changing a two-phase reaction to a single-phase reaction through the addition of a solvent. In some experiments an induction period was observed. Factors influencing the induction period were identified.

Transesterification of Triolein and Methanol by Novozym 435 with Dimethyl Ether

“…The use of a co-solvent to produce homogeneous feed solutions of a triglyceride and methanol has been examined (Ataya et al, 2006). Boocock et al (1996Boocock et al ( , 1998 and Mao et al (2004) suggested that the transesterification of triolein with alkaline catalysts was significantly enhanced by the addition of liquid co-solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and t-butyl ether.…”

High Efficiency Nondispersive Reactor for Two-Phase Reactions

“…Mass-transfer limitations can be reduced by using cosolvents to give homogeneous reactions that are much faster. 6 This requires solvent distillation, a recycle loop, larger reactors to accommodate solvent, and more energy. Plus, the dilution itself reduces the ultimate reaction rate.…”

The Base Unit for Biodiesel Production Controlling

“…For example, advantages include production from renewable materials (oils, fats), low environmental burden and lower CO 2 emissions when is used normal biodiesel. On the other hand, production includes higher cost of some materials and there are higher nitrogen oxides emissions.Production is providing by a transesterification of free fatty acids (see Ataya et al, 2006;Canakci & Gerpen, 2001; Van Gerpen, 2005).Because the process was manually controlled and it was a lot of time consuming, It was designed a simple controlling system for production of biodiesel. It's based on programmable logic controller from SAIA Company.…”