Performance test of a 6-stage continuous reactor for palm methyl ester production.
Effects of residence time (3-12 min), stirrer speed (0-800 rpm), and NaOH concentration (0.25-1.0 wt% of oil) on the production performance of the designed 6-stage continuous reactor (2.272 l) for transesterification of palm oil were investigated at molar ratio of methanol to oil of 6:1 and temperature of 60 degrees C. Higher stirrer speed increased the reaction rate up to an appropriate speed but excessive stirrer speed decreased the reaction rate. Inappropriate stirrer speed runs dramatically decreased the production capacity of the reactor. Higher NaOH concentration significantly increased reaction rate and production capacity of the reactor. The reactor had a residence time distribution equivalent to 5.98 ideal CSTRs in series and a production performance equivalent to a plug flow reactor. At NaOH of 1.0 wt% of oil, the reactor could produce saleable biodiesel within residence time of 6 min in which a production capacity was 17.3 l/h and a power consumption of stirrer was 0.6 kW/m(3).
Leevijit
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The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology, Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand. leetheerayut@yahoo.com
Tongurai
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Prateepchaikul
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Wisutmethangoon
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D019149:Bioreactors; D004952:Esters / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008745:Methylation; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D004952:Esters; D010938:Plant Oils; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D000432:Methanol