Performance evaluation of a stirred-tank batch reactor for the production of biodiesel via the base-catalyzed transesterification of triglycerides derived from Jatropha curcas L.

Date

4-2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Butch G. Bataller

Committee Member

Rex B. Demafelis, Amelia E. Parao, John Meynard M. Tengco

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Abstract

A performance evaluation of a stirred-tank batch reactor designed by Infante in 2008 was conducted. The study was divided into three levels, each focused on the effect of varying a parameter on the yield of the reaction or purity of the product. The first part determined the effect of different temperatures (50oC, 40oC, and room temperature) on the biodiesel yield. At this level, the impeller speed and reaction time were held constant at 163 revolutions per minute and 30 minutes, respectively, in all three runs. The yield for room temperature and 50oC were 76% and 75%, respectively. While at 40oC, the yield was 82%, making it the most favorable reaction temperature. The second level of the study focused on determining the effect of varying the impeller speed on the yield of the reaction. No agitation, 169 rpm, and 216 rpm were considered in this part of the study. The temperature that was used in all three runs was 40oC since it was observed to be the most favorable reaction temperature in the earlier part of the study. Thirty minutes was used as reaction time as well. The highest yield of 82% was observed at 169 rpm, thus this speed was chosen as the most favorable impeller speed. The third level of the study focused on the time profile of the composition of biodiesel obtained from the optimum condition of 40oC reaction temperature and 169 rpm impeller speed was performed. Samples were taken every five minutes until 30 minutes. Using thin layer chromatography and QuantiScan 3.0 analysis, it was observed that at 20 minutes the sample already conformed to the biodiesel standards. The optimum conditions for the transesterification of pretreated Jatropha curcas L. at the stirred-tank batch reactor are 40oC reaction temperature, 169 rpm impeller speed, and 20 minutes reaction time, using 1:6.89:0.2 oil-methanol-sodium hydroxide molar ratios obtained from Pateña (2008).

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section

Call Number

LG 993 2010 E62 R66

Document Type

Thesis

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