Characterization of systems involved in the process of perification of biodiesel

Author(s)

Alex Barreto Machado

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química
• Defense date: 2010-12-15

Examining board members

Maria Regina Wolf Maciel; Eduardo Augusto Caldas Batista; Roberta Ceriani; Patricia de Oliveira Carvalho; Maria Isabel Berto

• Advisor: Maria Regina Wolf Maciel; Martín Aznar

Abstract

There are several concerns that have driven investment in new production processes for alternative energy sources: concern over the depletion of limited supplies of oil, dependence on the Brazilian market of foreign funds, call for renewable raw materials and environmental concerns (Protocol Kyoto). Among the alternatives to fossil fuels, biodiesel appears as a promising alternative. Biodiesel can be defined as a mono-alkyl ester of fatty acids derived from renewable sources such as vegetable oils and animal fats obtained through transesterification process, which occurs in the transformation of triacylglycerols into smaller molecules of fatty acid esters, yielding as a byproduct glycerol (or glycerin). Biodiesel is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-USA) as fuel and fuel additive and can be used at 100% (B100), mixed with petroleum diesel, for example, 20% (B20) or in a low proportion (1-5%) as an additive, which makes their use possible without any modification in conventional engines. Numerous studies have been developed by testing different oils, processes and final mixtures, but for proper assessment of this work, it is necessary to characterize the product and recognize the differences present in the raw materials that can positively change the outcome. Moreover, it is necessary to understand the liquid-liquid equilibria formed with the mixtures and to study the vapor-liquid equilibria involved in distillation required for the purification of biodiesel. Such data are not found in the open literature and currently hinder the construction of virtual plants and conducting computer simulations. Thus, this project aims to present a characterization of systems involved in the purification of biodiesel, allowing to get data from liquid-liquid equilibria and vapor-liquid systems containing ethanol, glycerol, biodiesel from soybean oil ( Bio-SO) and biodiesel from castor oil ( Bio-CO), water and catalyst (NaOH) (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/05243-8 - Characterization of system involved in the biodiesel purification processes
• Grantee: Alex Barreto Machado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate