Batch and flow synthesis of methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids by alkaline oil transesterification linseed: purification and analysis by TLC

• Grant number: 21/13993-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Mauri Sergio Alves Palma
• Grantee: Mikael Vitor Rodrigues de Lima
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The high consumption of oil and its derivatives in the last century generated environmental impacts, but it is a non-renewable fuel, which will inevitably end up. Aiming at replacing one of the oil derivatives, biodiesel proves to be very advantageous. However, due to the expensive cost of raw materials and production, its cost is higher than diesel, making the product uncompetitive. In order to reduce the cost of production, the application of flow process synthesis in capillary microreactors has the potential to substantially reduce reaction time and increase yield. This research project aims to: (1) the optimization of the synthesis of fatty acid methyl and ethyl esters(biodiesel) through alkaline transesterification of oil linseed, with methanol and ethanol, in batch process and inflow in capillary microreactors; (2) the development of isolation methods for fatty acid esters synthesized and, (3) the development of qualitative analysis of fatty acid esters based on thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The synthesis will be optimized in terms of temperature, base concentration, and alcohol/oil molar ratio on oil conversion, biodiesel yield, and reaction selectivity. This work will be developed within the scope of the doctoral work entitled: "Development and optimization of microreactors for biodiesel production by enzymatic transesterification and simulation in computational fluid dynamics software";, started on October 5 th 2021 in the Chemical-Pharmaceutical Technology Program of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences/University of São Paulo, with CAPES Scholarship. (AU)