Optimization of a static mixer reactor for the production of biodiesel via base-catalyzed transesterification of Jatropha curcas L. seed oil.

Date

2011

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Abstract

The production of diesel using a static mixer reactor offers advantages such as independence to temperature and increased efficiency of operation. Refined Jatropha oil was reacted with NaOH to form methyl ester through transesterifacation reaction. this reaction using the static mixer reactor was optimized using response surface methodology. The factors considered for the study were the oil-to-NaOH ratio, oil-to-methanol ratio and reaction time. The response chosen were the methyl ester content and volumetric yield Methyl ester content was quantified by thin layer chromatography and Quantiscan 3.0. The experimental matrix and analysis was provided by Design-Expert 8. Twenty runs were made which all gave high methyl ester content. A model was generated from the volumetric yield response. From the combination of variables, the optimum condition suggested by the program was 1:7.32:0.25 oil-to- methanol-to-NaOH molar ratio with a reaction time of 3.91 minutes. A confirmatory experiment was made at the optimum condition which gave an average methyl ester content of 99.2472% and volumetric yield of 75.48%. The high methyl ester content and volumetric yield were higher than the predicted confirmed model validity. Using the static mixer, biodiesel production was achieved at a shorter reaction time to higher capacity as compared to blade agitated tank.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2011 E62 M36

Document Type

Thesis

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