Influence of Co-Solvent on the Production of Biodiesel in Batch and Continuous Process

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of residence time and reaction temperature on the yield of fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) with and without presence of biodiesel as a co-solvent. Experiments were performed for transesterification of non-edible oil (i.e., Jatropha curcas oil) in both batch and continuous mode. It is observed that presence of biodiesel as co-solvent enhances the yield appreciably with increase in reaction temperature and residence time. In addition, co-solvent enhances the miscibility between oil and methanol and consequently enhances the rate of reaction. Further, the results showed that the yield of fatty acid methyl esters obtained almost 20% higher than co-solvent free process.

Keywords:

• Transesterification
• Non-edible oil
• Co-solvent
• Fatty acid methyl ester
• Autoclave reactor
• Packed bed reactor

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to Mr. A.P. Mull, Director TATA Consulting Engineers Limited & TCE QSTP-LLC, and Mr. J.P. Haran, Managing Director TATA Consulting Engineers Limited & Director TCE QSTP-LLC for continuous encouragement of research activities and motivation to us. The authors express their appreciation to Prof. S. Mahajani, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Mumbai, for providing laboratory facility. We are also grateful to Mr. Rohidas Bhoi, Department of Chemical Engineering, IITB, Mumbai, for providing support to us.