The effect of agitation intensity on alkali-catalyzed methanolysis of sunflower oil

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2007-10, Vol.98 (14), p.2688-2699
• Main Authors: Stamenković, Olivera S., Lazić, M.L., Todorović, Z.B., Veljković, V.B., Skala, D.U.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiesel; Biofuel production; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Emulsions - chemistry; Energy; fatty acid methyl ester; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Helianthus; hydrolysis; Hydroxides - chemistry; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Kinetics; methanol; Methanol - chemistry; Methanolysis; Plant Oils - chemistry; Potassium Compounds - chemistry; renewable energy sources; Sauter-mean diameter; Sunflower Oil; vegetable oil
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2006.09.024

The sunflower oil methanolysis was studied in a stirred reactor at different agitation speeds. The measurements of drop size, drop size distribution and the conversion degree demonstrate the effects of the agitation speed in both non-reaction (methanol/sunflower oil) and reaction (methanol/KOH/sunflower oil) systems. Drop size distributions were found to become narrower and shift to smaller sizes with increasing agitation speed as well as with the progress of the methanolysis reaction at a constant agitation speed. During the methanolysis reaction, the Sauter-mean drop diameter stays constant in the initial slow reaction region, rapidly decreases during the fast reaction period and finally reaches the equilibrium level. Due to the fact that the interfacial area increases, one can conclude that the rate of reaction occurring at the interface will also be enhanced progressively. The “autocatalytic” behavior of the methanolysis reaction is explained by this “self-enhancement” of the interfacial area, due to intensive drop breakage process.