Performance test of a 6-stage continuous reactor for palm methyl ester production

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2008, Vol.99 (1), p.214-221
• Main Authors: Leevijit, T., Tongurai, C., Prateepchaikul, G., Wisutmethangoon, W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiesel; Biofuel production; Biological and medical sciences; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Continuous reactor; Energy; esters; Esters - chemical synthesis; fatty acid esters; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Methanol - chemistry; Methyl esters; Methylation; Palm oil; palm oils; Plant Oils - chemistry; renewable energy sources; sodium hydroxide; Sodium Hydroxide - chemistry; Temperature; Time Factors; Transesterification
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2006.11.052

Effects of residence time (3–12 min), stirrer speed (0–800 rpm), and NaOH concentration (0.25–1.0 wt% of oil) on the production performance of the designed 6-stage continuous reactor (2.272 l) for transesterification of palm oil were investigated at molar ratio of methanol to oil of 6:1 and temperature of 60 °C. Higher stirrer speed increased the reaction rate up to an appropriate speed but excessive stirrer speed decreased the reaction rate. Inappropriate stirrer speed runs dramatically decreased the production capacity of the reactor. Higher NaOH concentration significantly increased reaction rate and production capacity of the reactor. The reactor had a residence time distribution equivalent to 5.98 ideal CSTRs in series and a production performance equivalent to a plug flow reactor. At NaOH of 1.0 wt% of oil, the reactor could produce saleable biodiesel within residence time of 6 min in which a production capacity was 17.3 l/h and a power consumption of stirrer was 0.6 kW/m 3.