Mathematical Modeling of Reversible Bimolecular Catalyzed Transesterification Reaction Kinetics for PKO and Methanol synthesis

Abstract

Continuous appraisal for alternative renewable energy sources particularly for bio-diesel production is a great concern to engineers and scientist globally. Actually, vegetable oils and C1 to C3 alcohol group alkali catalyzed transesterification reaction leads to bio-diesel production. The aspect of developing reaction time and disappearance rate (-RA) mathematical models for effective various reactor types design seems impassive. Hence, in this work the authors developed a unified reaction time and disappearance rate (-RA) predictive models as a function of reactants and product reaction rate constants (K1 K2), molar masses (MW), conversion (XA), fractional volume change (ɛ) and density (ρ) dimensions using partial fraction and by parts integration methods. The developed models were simulated with Matlab codes programming approach exploiting the kinetics parameters of PKO , Methanol and biodiesel. The results of the reaction time (t) at equilibrium, none equilibrium and disappearance rate (-RɛA) show dependable relationship with the stipulated dimensions and were quite compatible with those of inferential laboratory physicochemical data reported. Thus;