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.
