A Novel Continuous-Flow Reactor Using a Reactive Distillation Technique for Biodiesel Production

University Transportation Centers Program2006PDFTech ReportHe, B. BrianNational Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) (U.S.)United States. Department of Transportation. Research and Special Programs AdministrationUnited States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) ProgramNational Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) (U.S.)United StatesBiodiesel fuelsDemandEngine performanceEnvironmental impactsExhaust gasesProduction methodsVegetable oilsN06-02DTRS98-G-0027KLK340Biodiesel is a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids produced from vegetable oils through a transesterification process. In existing continuous-flow biodiesel production processes, 100 percent excess alcohol is typically used in order to drive the reaction to completion. The excess alcohol must be recovered in a separate process, which involves additional operating and energy costs. In the first stage of this study, a novel reactor system using a manufactured (glass) reactive distillation (RD) column was developed and studied. The concept to dramatically reduce the use of excess alcohol and still produce a quality fuel was proven. The next step, and the focus of this part of the study, was to scale-up the system to a production rate of 80 to 100 ml/min and measure its effectiveness. A 20 sieve-tray RD reactor system was designed by the author and fabricated at the University of Idaho machine shop. This model was used to produce biodiesel and product parameters such as methyl ester content and total glycerol were analyzed. Preliminary results showed that process parameters of methanol-to-oil ratio of 4:1 (molar) and a column temperature of 65\ub0C produced a biodiesel that was 90.71 percent converted in five minutes.127