Study of an ethylic biodiesel integrated process: Raw-materials, reaction optimization and purification methods

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

J. M. Dias (Author) FEUP; E. Santos (Author) FEUP; F. Santo (Author) FEUP; F. Carvalho (Author) FEUP; M. C. M. Alvim Ferraz (Author) FEUP; M. F. Almeida (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Fuel Processing Technology

Vol. 124

Pages: 198-205

ISSN: 0378-3820

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 15 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-BNG

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2014.02.026

Abstract (EN): No studies are reported on ethylic biodiesel integrated processes, considering raw materials, reaction optimization and product purification. The present study aims to: i) select key variables for experimental optimization of ethanolysis using a virgin vegetable oil; ii) perform an optimization study using a waste oil; and iii) evaluate the effectiveness of water free purification methods. Sunflower oil ethanolysis was conducted at different temperatures (30 - 80 degrees C), catalyst concentrations (0.3 - 2 wt.%), reaction times (0.5 - 4 h) and ethanol: oil molar ratios (2:1 - 12:1). Optimization experiments on waste oil ethanolysis were performed at different temperatures (30 50 C) and ethanol: oil molar ratios (6:1 - 12:1), during 1 h and using 1 wt.% catalyst. Quality parameters were measured according to EN 14214. A cation-exchange resin and a ceramic membrane were evaluated for water-free purification. Regarding sunflower oil ethanolysis, when successful, conversion ranged from 75.2 to 97.7 wt.%. Using both oils under optimized conditions (45 degrees C, 6:1 ethanol:oil molar ratio), a product with a very high purity (>98.0 wt.%) was obtained after water washing purification. The 0.1 mu m ceramic membrane was more effective than the cation-exchange resin, but it was not possible to obtain a good quality product using both methods.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8