Biodiesel Processes

Transesterification

Applied when the oil has less than 1% of Free-Fatty Acids (in mass).

 

 

 

Usual operating conditions - mechanical stirring technology (batch reactor)

  • Alcohol to oil ratio from 6:1 to 12:1
  • Temperature from 30 to 60 oC
  • Catalysts: hydroxides, methoxides and heterogeneous catalysts
  • Catalyst concentraion: 0.5 to 2% w/w

 

Usual operating conditions - ultrasound technology (batch reactor)

  • Alcohol to oil ratio from 6:1 to 9:1
  • Temperature from 30 to 60 oC
  • Ultrasound frequency: 25 to 40 kHz
  • Catalysts: hydroxides, methoxides and heterogeneous catalysts
  • Catalyst concentraion: 0.1 to 1% w/w

 

Esterification + Transesterification

Applied when the oil has more than 1% of Free-Fatty Acids (in mass)

 

Usual operating conditions

  • Alcohol to oil ratio from 6:1 to 12:1
  • Temperature from 30 to 60 oC
  • Catalysts: strong acids

 

Saponification + Hydrolysis + Esterification

Applied when the oil has high percentage of Free-Fatty Acids (in mass)


 

Usual operating conditions

  • Alcohol to oil ratio from 6:1 to 9:1
  • Temperature from 30 to 90 oC
  • Catalysts: strong acids