Prediction of normalized biodiesel properties by simulation of multiple feedstock blends.
A continuous process for biodiesel production has been simulated using Aspen HYSYS V7.0 software. As fresh feed, feedstocks with a mild acid content have been used. The process flowsheet follows a traditional alkaline transesterification scheme constituted by esterification, transesterification and purification stages. Kinetic models taking into account the concentration of the different species have been employed in order to simulate the behavior of the CSTR reactors and the product distribution within the process. The comparison between experimental data found in literature and the predicted normalized properties, has been discussed. Additionally, a comparison between different thermodynamic packages has been performed. NRTL activity model has been selected as the most reliable of them. The combination of these models allows the prediction of 13 out of 25 parameters included in standard EN-14214:2003, and confers simulators a great value as predictive as well as optimization tool.
García
Manuel
M
Thermochemical Processes Research Group (GPT), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Universidad de Zaragoza, María de Luna, 3, Torres-Quevedo Bld., 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
Gonzalo
Alberto
A
Sánchez
José Luis
JL
Arauzo
Jesús
J
Peña
José Angel
JA
D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008956:Models, Chemical; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000737:chemistry*; D014783:Viscosity
D056804:Biofuels; D014280:Triglycerides