title: Boosting the value of biodiesel byproduct by the non-catalytic transesterification of dimethyl carbonate via a continuous flow system under ambient pressure.
abstract: Transformation of coconut oil into biodiesel by using dimethyl carbonate (DMC) via a non-catalytic transesterification reaction under ambient pressure was investigated in this study. The non-catalytic transformation to biodiesel was achieved by means of a heterogeneous reaction between liquid triglycerides and gas phase DMC. The reaction was enhanced in the presence of porous material due to its intrinsic physical properties such as tortuosity and absorption/adsorption. The numerous pores in the material served as micro reaction chambers and ensured that there was enough contact time between the liquid triglycerides and the gaseous DMC, which enabled the completion of the transesterification. The highest fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) yield achieved was 98±0.5% within 1-2min at a temperature of 360-450°C under ambient pressure. The fast reaction rates made it possible to convert the lipid feedstock into biodiesel via a continuous flow system without the application of increased pressure. This suggested that the commonly used supercritical conditions could be avoided, resulting in huge cost benefits for biodiesel production. In addition, the high value of the byproduct from the transesterification of the lipid feedstock with DMC suggested that the production biodiesel using this method could be more economically competitive. Finally, the basic properties of biodiesel derived from the non-catalytic conversion of rapeseed oil with DMC were summarised.
authors: Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Eilhann E
authors: EE
authors: Kwon
authors: Bioenergy Research Team, Research Institute of Science and Technology (RIST), 813-1 Keumho-Dong, Kwang-Yang, Cholla-Nam-Do, South Korea. Electronic address: haakrho@yahoo.com.
authors: Haakrho
authors: H
authors: Yi
authors: Department of Microbiology, Pukyung National University, Busan, South Korea. Electronic address: youngjaejeon@pknu.ac.kr.
authors: Young Jae
authors: YJ
authors: Jeon
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis*; D000074263:Coconut Oil; D004951:Esterification; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005561:Formates / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D011312:Pressure; D013696:Temperature; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005561:Formates; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; C023025:methyl carbonate; D000074263:Coconut Oil
keywords: Biodiesel; Coconut oil; Dimethyl carbonate (DMC); Glycerol carbonate; Porous materials