Abstract
In the present study, mini-serpentine reactors of different R/D ratios are tested for mass transfer limited transesterification reaction to produce biodiesel. Experiments are carried out in three test sections made of glass capillary of id 2 mm with different R/D ratios and results are compared with a straight test-section of similar dimension. Yield increases almost 1.26 times in the presence of bend (serpentine geometry), as it induces the secondary flow in the liquid film surrounding the slug. Reverse flow in bend generates eddies surrounding the slug, known as Dean Vortices. This counter-flow enhances the transport rate significantly. An optimum Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) yield of 98 % is observed in serpentine test-section with R/D ratio 3 in just 1.18 min of residence time. Percentage FAME yield relies upon the prevalence of shape and size of long slugs or slender short slugs in subsequent tubes. FAME yield diminishes for the first case and enhancement is observed in the latter case.
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