Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
The reaction of vegetable oil/fat for the production of biodiesel usually takes place in an enclosed device known as a �reactor�. Three major types of reactors available for biodiesel production are: batch, semi-continuous flow and continuous-flow reactors. Batch reactors are pledged with the problem of low productivity and high energy requirement. However, their flexibility in the choice of feedstock and less initial capital and infrastructure investment has encouraged the use for laboratory and commercial purposes. The major aim of this work is to modify the existing batch reactor for increased biodiesel yield. To accomplish this task, two different stirring-arm stages with a horizontal baffle were used. These arms arrangement were meant to increase turbulence during the fluid mixing and create more liquid surface to surface interactions for greater molecular separation and interface reaction. The result of performance evaluation carried out on the modified reactor show that, multiple stages of agitators increased the interface mobility of the alkoxide solution, yielding 98% of biodiesel in a record time of 60minutes at a mixing speed of 300rpm.The result of this research shows that, the conversion of alkoxide in the reactor was enhanced by the use of multiple levels of agitators, thus leading to increased biodiesel yield at a lower mixing speed and power requirement. The results of this work will encourage the full utilization of the device for biodiesel production for both laboratory and commercial needs.

Keywords: alkoxide, batch-reactor, baffle, stirring-arms, biodiesel, esterification.

Download full paper