A glycerol-free process to produce biodiesel by supercritical methyl acetate technology: an optimization study via Response Surface Methodology.
In this study, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) have been successfully produced from transesterification reaction between triglycerides and methyl acetate, instead of alcohol. In this non-catalytic supercritical methyl acetate (SCMA) technology, triacetin which is a valuable biodiesel additive is produced as side product rather than glycerol, which has lower commercial value. Besides, the properties of the biodiesel (FAME and triacetin) were found to be superior compared to those produced from conventional catalytic reactions (FAME only). In this study, the effects of various important parameters on the yield of biodiesel were optimized by utilizing Response Surface Methodology (RSM) analysis. The mathematical model developed was found to be adequate and statistically accurate to predict the optimum yield of biodiesel. The optimum conditions were found to be 399 degrees C for reaction temperature, 30 mol/mol of methyl acetate to oil molar ratio and reaction time of 59 min to achieve 97.6% biodiesel yield.
School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Kok Tat
KT
Tan
Keat Teong
KT
Lee
Abdul Rahman
AR
Mohamed
D000085:Acetates; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D056804:Biofuels; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D002384:Catalysis; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D004951:Esterification; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014215:Triacetin / Q000737:chemistry
D000085:Acetates; D056804:Biofuels; D010938:Plant Oils; D012997:Solvents; D000073878:Palm Oil; D005990:Glycerol; C046923:methyl acetate; D014215:Triacetin