Production of pure biofuel and some chemicals from waste soap stock

Abstract

The non-esculent soap stock oil was employed for producing some rare chemicals, along with certain fractions of biofuels akin to those engendered from petroleum sources. This inexpensive feed stock was hydrotreated using NiMo/Al2O3 in the sulfided form as a catalyst. The applied process was accomplished in a continuous micro-reactor, under high pressure of hydrogen. The hydroprocessed oil was treated chemically for separating its liquid hydrocarbons from the fatty acid constituents. The fatty acids were esterified to be transformed to the corresponding methyl ester. The products were identified via the gas chromatographic technique. The results reflect that the acquired hydrocarbons are clean and free from oxygenated compounds, in addition to sulfur, which has an adverse impact on the environment and on the performance of engines, so it can be used as a high – grade biofuel and also as pure chemicals. Furthermore, the prepared fatty acids are characterized by their low molecular weight, with carbon numbers in the range of C5 to C22, including those with odd carbon numbers that regarded as very rare components in nature. Hence this work offers the ability for obtainment precious products from a cheap material.