Trends in Sonochemical and Hydrodynamic Reactor Strategies for Catalytic Production of Biodiesel: Effects of the Influencing Process Parameters and Kinetics

Great Umenweke,Kristinoba Olotu,Akindele Okewale,Patrick U Okoye,Oluwasegun Muniru

doi:10.21601/ejosdr/11002

Abstract

Biodiesel researchers need to understand the optimal conditions involved in the production of biodiesel from readily available biological sources, as several research works have reported on biodiesel production. Therefore, this paper emphasizes specifically, the process parameters involved in biodiesel production and how they affect biodiesel yields. These parameters include, but not limited to the feedstock selection, catalyst type to use, free fatty acid, temperature, kinetics, hydrodynamics and reactor conditions. In biodiesel synthesis, a high fatty acid methyl ester yield of up to 100%w/w at 60 oC has been reported, which occurred with a methanol to oil molar ratio of 3.75, and 60 min reaction time. Homogeneous catalysts seems promising for the production of biodiesel, although they possess disposal challenges and reusability issues. In addition, carbon-based catalysts from natural sources have been used to resolve the presence of free fatty acids in biodiesel synthesis that results in the formation of soap. These carbon-derived catalysts prove their efficiency when modified with acids. The reactor suitable for biodiesel reaction, assume several configurations, like the batch, fixed bed and semi-batch configurations, with their respective reaction conditions. Furthermore, in the design of a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor operating on the rotor-stator mechanism, research has shown that the ratio of rotor to stator diameter Dr/Ds is maintained at 0.73 for efficient operation. Hence, a proper understanding of the process chemistry and techniques involved in biodiesel synthesis would ensure a high desired yield and sustainable process route.

Highlights

The inevitable industrial paradigm shift has revolutionized researchers’ attention from the conventional fossil fuel approach to produce fuels and chemicals, to the novel use of biomass, ranging from lipids to grease or wastes, to generate fuel-like substances
Maddikeri et al (2014) experiment explored the geometric parameter of the HC reactor for the intensified synthesis of biodiesel using HC, he focused on the use of different cavitation devices such as the on orifice plate, circular and slit venturi on the hydrodynamic cavitation reactor on varying process operating parameters such as inlet pressure, molar ratio of oil to methyl acetate and catalyst loading
It is highly undisputed that biodiesel production has come to stay, especially in times of the massive drift from the dependence on petroleum-based diesel to diesel from biogenic materials

Summary

Introduction

The inevitable industrial paradigm shift has revolutionized researchers’ attention from the conventional fossil fuel approach to produce fuels and chemicals, to the novel use of biomass, ranging from lipids to grease or wastes, to generate fuel-like substances. This paper assesses the trends of how process parameters such as feedstock selection, catalysts selection, temperature, hydrodynamics (in relation to sonochemistry), the reaction kinetic approach, and their individual effects on the biodiesel yields. Biodiesel synthesis is limited by mass transfer, these technologies enhance reaction rate, reduces required molar ratio of alcohol to oil, reduces energy input by intensification of mass transfer and makes product separation easier.

Results

Conclusion