PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM VEGETABLE OIL BY TRANSESTERIFICATION PROCESS USING CONTINOUS ENZYMATIC REACTOR

Advisors: Dr. Siva Mandjiny, Dr. Maria Periera, Dr. Cornelia Tirla

Department of Chemistry & Physics, Department of Biology

UNCP BiofuelsProvost funds initiative( up to present date)

Biodiesel Reactor arrives March 07

Biodiesel Outreach starts January 08

Student research starts Summer 07

Present- Outreach/Research continues

UNCP Biofuels

UNCP Biofuels

GoalTo Research Cost-Conserving and Safer Methods for Biodiesel Production.Reduce Production of Soap and other By-Products.Utilize a Continuous, Low-Maintenance Reactor.Compare Continuous Production with Conventional Process.

Why

?

Because Biodiesel is…

And because it can be made from almost any fatty acid!

These are some samples of Biodiesel produced from a variety of oils.Oils used: Corn, Palm, Coconut, Fish, Canola, Macadamia Nut, Sunflower, Hemp, Soy Bean and Peanut.

MaterialsBatch Method Continuous Process

Waste and Virgin Vegetable Oil Methanol Potassium Hydroxide

Waste and Virgin Vegetable Oil Ethyl Acetate Novozyme-435 Lipase Enzyme

Batch Method Conventional batch method with KOH catalyst, Vegetable Oil and Methanol at 55ºC.Wash with water to remove soap.Separate Glycerol from Biodiesel.Test for presence and quality of biodiesel by GC/Mass Spectrometer and Bomb Calorimetry.

Conventional Batch Reaction

Continuous Process Continuous Reactor with vegetable oil, ethyl acetate as the reactant and lipase enzyme as the catalyst.Allow to run ~6 hours for optimal reaction.Test for presence and quality of biodiesel with bomb calorimetry and GC/Mass Spec.

The Transesterification Reaction

CH2

CH

CH2

O

O

O C

C

C

O

O

O

(CH2)n

(CH2)n

(CH2)n CH3

CH3

CH3 + 3O

O

CH2

CH

CH2

O

O

O C

C

C

O

O

O

CH3

CH3

CH3

+(CH2)n O

O

H3C3Novozyme 435

Oil Ethyl Acetate Tracetin Biodiesel

The Continuous Reactor

Results From Batch The Batch Process with Potassium Hydroxide Catalyst Produces Biodiesel as well as Soap and Glycerol that have to be removed before use.

Results From Continuous Process The continuous process produces biodiesel and triacetin a known fuel additive which does not have to be removed from the biodiesel before use.

Results and Discussion• The optimal reaction time for oil to be completely

converted to biodiesel is 6 to 8 hours this was determined by an indirect method of measuring the calorific values of samples taken at different points during the reaction process. Further testing showed that after this time period, the equilibrium point is reached for the reaction and it begins to shift back to the reactant side.

• It was also noted as the concentration of ethyl acetate in biodiesel in the reaction decreases, the calorific value increases.

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Concentration of Biodiesel To the Concentration Of Ethyl Acetate

CV

Valu

e

Results and Discussion

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16Time (hrs)

% C

onve

rsio

n

Results and Discussion

Results and Discussion Continued OOIILL CCaalloorriiffiicc

VVaalluuee ((ccaall//mmll))

SSppeecciiffiicc GGrraavviittyy

RReeffrraaccttiivvee IInnddeexx

VViissccoossiittyy ((NN

sseecc//mm22)) Virgin Oil 7290.63 0.8767 1.7465 0.0083 BBaattcchh ww//

KKOOHH aass CCaattaallyysstt

Waste Vegetable Oil

8505.70 0.880 1.4555 0.0084

Virgin Oil 8554.30 0.902 2.9234 0.0110 BBaattcchh ww// EEnnzzyymmee aass CCaattaallyysstt

Waste Vegetable Oil

9137.69 0.904 2.9376 0.0110

Virgin Oil 7557.90 0.903 2.9230 0.0092 CCoonnttiinnuuoouuss EEnnzzyymmaattiicc PPrroocceessss

Waste Vegetable Oil

8505.73 0.907 2.9437 0.0091

Conclusion• The lipase enzyme should be used as a catalyst.• The enzyme can be effectively used in a continuous

reactor.• Ethyl Acetate is a good solvent and an alternative to

methanol.• Excess ethyl acetate can be distilled and reused.• The calorific value can be used as an indirect

method for measuring the rate of conversion of vegetable oil to biodiesel.