TRANSESTERIFICATION PROCESS
Methanol and Algae oil were used as a raw material to study the effect of low frequency ultrasound on biodiesel production at 303 K, 323 K using molar ratio of oil to methanol ranging from 1:3, 1:6, 1:9 , and the quantity of dodecane catalyst from 1%, 2%, 3%, and 5% (wt/wt) of the weight of Algae oil. The reaction mixture consists of Algae oil, methanol, and sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide was dissolved into methanol followed by addition of Algae oil to the solution. Since, the Algae oil and methanol were not completely miscible, two layers were observed: the upper layer was of methanol and the lower layer was of oil.
METHANOL TO OIL MOLAR RATIO
Stoichiometrically, the methanolysis of Algae oil requires three…show more content… As can be seen from (at 303 K) and (at 323 K), the maximum conversion was achieved at methanol to oil molar ratio 9:1. It is comparable to the work carried out by L. Vermaet al. [5] obtained 90% conversion using methanol as an alcohol with triolein oil to alcohol molar ratio of 1:6 and KOH as a catalyst. L. Vermaet. al. [6] have obtained above 98% yield using 1:9 Algae oil to methanol molar ratio and heterogeneous solid catalyst used was Na/SiO2. Present study shows that with molar ratio of oil to methanol of 1:12, maximum conversion was achieved in 30 minutes only and after that it almost a constant over an extended reaction time. Molar ration of 1:3 and 1:6 are not showing good results. One of the reasons for the same may be the predominance of esterification reaction at the initial phase, to transesterify the FFA present in the
Algae oil, of transesterification which can consume methanol present in the reaction mixture and hence, the amount of methanol available for transesterification may not be sufficient to drive the reaction forward for longer…show more content… The reaction mixture consists of Algae oil, methanol, and sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide was dissolved into methanol followed by addition of Algae oil to the solution. Since, the Algae oil and methanol were not completely miscible, two layers were observed: the upper layer was of methanol and the lower layer was of oil.
Effect of molar ratio on conversion of algae at 303 K. Reaction conditions: Algae oil 50 g, catalyst amount 1%.
Effect of molar ratio on conversion of algae at 323 K. Reaction conditions: Algae oil 50 g, catalyst amount 1%.
3% percentage of solvent with Ethanol max 81%
Zero percentage of solvent with Ethanol max 74%
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Oil
Catalyst
Alcohol
Oil to
Alcohol
Molar
Ratio