Enzymatic synthesis, physico-chemical and thermal characterization of biodiesel from beef-tallow by ethyl route

Author(s)

Guilherme Augusto Martins da Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Lorena.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL/ASDI)
• Defense date: 2009-06-18

Examining board members

Heizir Ferreira de Castro; Domingos Savio Giordani; Victor Haber Perez

• Advisor: Heizir Ferreira de Castro

Abstract

The objective of this project was to establish a process for enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel using beef tallow and ethanol as feedstock. For the development of this project, the experimental work was directed to the following activities: 1) Determination of the physicochemical properties of the raw material; 2) Tests for selection of the most eficiente immobilized derivative to mediate the biodiesel synthesis from beef tallow; 3) Methodology establishment for analyzing the product transesterificated by different techniques; 4) Optimization the synthesis of biodiesel by factorial design; 5) Mathematical model comprovation and increase the reaction mass 6) Characterization of the product formed and comparison with the industrial biodiesel. The results of analysis of composition of the raw materials indicated that the sample of beef tallow meets the standard required to be used in the transesterification reaction (low water content and acidity). For screening tests of biocatalysts, different sources of lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) were immobilized on POS-PVA support and used to mediate the transesterification of beef tallow and ethanol in solvent free medium. All reactions were performed under the same operating conditions (temperature of 45°C, molar ratio of 1:9 (fat/ alcohol) and 400 units of enzyme activity per gram of beef tallow). The transesterification yields and the productivity values were important parameters in choosing the most effective biocatalysts. Transesterificated products obtained with yields higher than 90% were subjected to additional tests, such as kinematic viscosity, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and 1H NMR. The immobilized derivative selected (Pseudomonas cepacia) was characterized according to biochemical and kinetics properties and thermal stability. An experimental design was adopted to determine the influence of pH and temperature on enzyme activity. To study the enzyme kinetics experiments were performed with different concentrations of substrate (olive oil) to determine the parameters Km and Vmax in the Michaelis-Menten kinetics. A study of thermal stability of free and immobilized lipase was performed at 60 °C to determine the constant of thermal deactivation. Following this, the chosen immobilized derivative was used to optimize the transesterification reaction (temperature and molar ratio) via response surface methodology, obtaining the following mathematical model (Y=86.89-7.46x1-2.04x2) for the transesterification yield, where x1 and x2 are the coded values for the variables temperature and molar ratio, respectively. Optima reaction conditions were determined by software (T = 48 ° C and molar ratio of 1:7 (tallow: ethanol)) and then a trial to confirm the mathematical model was performed using 110 g of reaction medium. The yield value showed good correlation with results predicted by the model (91.62% in 8 h reaction). Finally, the product was submitted to a sequence of tests and analysis to verify the potential of the enzymatic process. The tests indicated that the enzymatic process allows producing biodiesel with good quality, although the specifications recommended by the Brazilian Petroleum Agency (ANP) to be used as biofuel were not fully attained. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/01927-0 - Enzymatic synthesis, physico-chemical and thermical characterization of biodiesel from beef tallow by ethanolic route
• Grantee: Guilherme Augusto Martins da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master