Biodiesel Production via Transesterification: Effect of the Types of Oil/Alcohol and Alcohol Concentrations on Settling Behaviour of Byproduct of Glycerol

Abstract:

Typically, biodiesel is produced via a chemical reaction called as transesterification of triglycerides obtained from oil crops and animal fat with some kinds of acidic or alkali catalyst and various kinds of alcohol such as methanol, ethanol and even butanol. In this work, some effects of the types of oil/alcohol and alcohol concentrations on the settling behaviour of glycerol, a byproduct obtained during biodiesel production is investigated. The reaction was performed using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a catalyst with a reaction temperature (60 oC) and 20 min for the reaction time. The biodiesel yield and the byproduct obtained from each experiment were separated and observed. An equal ratio of the biodiesel and the glycerol was again vigorously remixed. Hereafter, the settling behaviour of glycerol was observed. The results revealed that the settling time was reduced significantly as the alcohol concentration increased. In addition, when a mixture of two types of alcohol is applied, synergetic effect of the mixed alcohols reduced the settling time of the byproduct of glycerol.

• Periodical: Defect and Diffusion Forum (Volume 365)
• Pages: 255-261
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/DDF.365.255
• Online since: July 2015
• Authors: Panida Rattanapoltee, Dollaporn Poomprasit, Pakawadee Kewkannetra
• Keywords: Biodiesel, Glycerol, Settling Behavior, Transesterification

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