Batch (one- and two-stage) production of biodiesel fuel from rapeseed oil

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol. 129-132; no. 1-3; pp. 668 - 679
• Main Authors: Jeong, Gwi-Taek, Park, Don-Hee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 2006
• Subjects: Air pollution; Alternative energy sources; Biodiesel fuels; Brassica napus; Canola Oil; Chemical Industry - methods; Esterification; Esters; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Gasoline; Hydroxides - chemistry; Plant Oils - chemistry; Pollution control; Potassium Compounds - chemistry; Rapeseed oil; Renewable energy sources
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 0273-2289; 1559-0291
• DOI: 10.1385/ABAB:131:1:668

Biodiesel fuel is an alternative and renewable energy source, which may help to reduce air pollution, as well as our dependence on petroleum for energy. Several processes have already been developed for the production of biodiesel. Alkali-catalyzed transesterification with short-chain alcohols, for example, generates high yields of methyl esters in short reaction times. In this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of batch (one- and two-stage) transesterification of rapeseed oil in the production of rapeseed methyl ester. The conversion of rapeseed oil exhibited similar reaction patterns and yields in 30- and 1-L reaction systems. Approximately 98% of the rapeseed oil was converted at 400 rpm within 20 min, under the following conditions: 1% (w/w) KOH, 1:10 methanol molar ratio, and at 60 degrees C. In the 30-L, two-stage transesterification process, approx 98.5% of the rapeseed oil was converted at a 1:4.5 molar ratio and 1% (w/w) KOH at 60 degrees C for 30 min (first reaction condition), and at a 1:1 molar ratio and 0.2% (w/w) KOH at 60 degrees C for 30 min (second reaction condition).