Search

Abstract: Biodiesel, a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters, is widely used as renewable bio-based alternative fuel for internal combustion engines. Kinetic model of non-catalytic biodiesel synthesis at elevated temperature and pressure, based on triglycerides conversion, is presented in this study. The model was developed using experimental reaction data of non-catalytic biodiesel synthesis at 150 and 210°C, and under pressures of 1.0 and 4.5MPa, respectively. The phase transition during transesterification at different conditions (subcritical and supercritical) and limitations of mass transfer between two liquid phases were included in the model. This complex reaction was represented by kinetic model with three consecutive and parallel reversible reactions, while kinetic parameters were calculated using simplified procedure based on triglycerides conversion as the only variable. The developed model was found to fit the experimental data for triglyceride conversion with high accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biodiesel synthesis by ethanolysis of triglycerides conducted under high pressure and at elevated temperature can lead to high levels of conversion and biodiesel yield over short reaction time. The vapour–liquid or vapour–liquid–liquid equilibrium and phase distribution of ethanol and triolein were investigated in order to determine the range of pressure and temperature required for high oil conversion. The phase equilibrium of the triolein and ethanol mixture (1:40 and 1:26 molar ratio of triolein to ethanol) was monitored in a view cell in order to determine the phase transition during heating of mixture up to 195°C (the corresponding pressure was 25 and 26bar). The experimental data were simulated using ASPENplus® and UniSim® software and results obtained using RK-Aspen EOS were found to correlate well with the experimental data. Simulation results show the important influence of the phase equilibrium on the reaction mechanism and overall kinetics under subcritical conditions (T <270°C at 200bar) since the two liquid phases exist at the beginning of reaction, thereby limiting the contact between the reactants. In case of single reaction phase (T >270°C at 200bar) the initially high reaction rate is limited at high conversion levels due to increasing extent of reversible reaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]