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Modelling of Biodiesel Production

Marianne Øien Supervisors: Sigurd Skogestad and Chriss Grimholt

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Agenda

• Project description• Work done• Model validation• Further work

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Project description

• Created a model for biodiesel production by plug flow reactor

• Validation of model• Learn Simulink• Renewable energy sources

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Flow scheme

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Simulink model

• Ten CSTRs in series for plug flow reactor• Settling tank for buffer effect and separation• Distillation between biodiesel and methanol• Flash of methanol from glycerol

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Operating condition

• Soyabean oil, assumed one component for simplicity

• 600C • 100% excess methanol• NaOH catalyst

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Model validation

• Single units and system• Change in flowrate• Disturbance in feed composition and methanol

excess• New product requirements in purity

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Reaction Chemistry

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Reactor validation• Removal of

methanol in feed

• No conversion• Change

through reactors

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Settling tank response• Increased

biodiesel fraction upstream

• Smooth out disturbance downstream

• Total flow conserved

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System disturbance• Application of 10%

flow disturbance• Smooth output

disturbance• Excess methanol

reflected in vapour and liquid flow

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Further work

• Include industrial size, amounts and data– Optimal flows for nominal operation– Tuning and control – Industrial expected disturbances

• Reducing computation time• More complex validation cases

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• Questions?

Thank you for your attention!