The use of waste cooking oil has emerged as a very promising biofuel feedstock because of its low cost and high availability. The majority of biodiesel in general is produced by transesterification of plant oils or animal fats with alcohol in the presence of homogeneous alkaline catalysts.<br/>The rate of transesterification reaction, typically 1 to 2 hours at 60 degrees in a batch reactor, is controlled by the rate of mass transfer between the two immiscible phases, and a higher yield can be obtained with increasing mixing intensity. The use of intensified liquid-liquid contactors offers very high interfacial areas, which enhance mass transfer rates, and can be very beneficial in the biodiesel production process since conversion closer to 100% can be achieved under continuous conditions which would reduce operating costs.<br/>Parametric studies of the reactor length, size and geometry, methanol/oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, flow rate ratio, and residence time have been carried out to decide the optimum conditions for biodiesel synthesis. The results will be compared against those from conventional processes.

Biodiesel production from cooking oil in intensified contactors

256th National Meeting (2018)

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