The development of alternative energy sources such as biodiesels has become an important directive of scientific research under recent administrations. One key issue that impairs the full utilization of traditionally synthesized biodiesels has been cloud point, or the tendency of refined biodiesels to form a crystalline complexation of methyl esters at low temperatures. Previous research has indicated that the selective application of reagents such as urea on samples of purified biofuels is capable of lowering sample cloud points, but largely, these findings have yet to be significantly incorporated into the biodiesel synthetic process. This project sought to identify key points during the transesterification and production process at which the incorporation of cloud point reducing materials may be incorporated efficiently. Specifically, the results of the investigation of novel pathways for the separation of biodiesel into fractions containing either more unsaturated or less unsaturated methyl esters through either formation of DFAU’s (Difatty Acyl Ureas) or urea complexation, will be reported. The data obtained from this experiment will ultimately help to improve and update existing biodiesel production methodology and gauge the process viability of several cloud-point lowering reagents and increase the understanding of conditions that favor urea/methyl ester complexation and formation of DFAU’s.

Process methods for low cloud point biodiesel fractionation

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