Abstract
Knowledge of the component distribution in the biodiesel production process is fundamental both during the transesterification reaction, where reactants are partially miscible, and during the recovery of the final products, which exist in two separate phases, a heavy one containing nearly all of the glycerol and a light one containing nearly all of the biodiesel. In this article, a simple methodology able to predict the product distribution at equilibrium between the heavy and light phases is suggested. Experimental equilibrium data for mixtures of two (biodiesel and glycerol), three (biodiesel, glycerol, and methanol), and four (biodiesel, glycerol, methanol, and water) components are collected and correlated with the Wilson activity coefficient model. The approach is based on thermodynamic data already available in the literature, without the addition of any empirical fitting parameter. A small effect brought about by the presence of water at low concentrations on methanol distribution between the two phases is pointed out and qualitatively supported by the model predictions. The influence of the addition of electrolyte contaminants (soap or catalysts) is also considered.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7862-7867 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 20 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 15 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemical Engineering(all)
- Chemistry(all)
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Cite this
Component distribution between light and heavy phases in biodiesel processes. / Felice, Renzo Di; De Faveri, Danilo; De Andreis, Paola; Ottonello, Piero.
In: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol. 47, No. 20, 15.10.2008, p. 7862-7867.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Component distribution between light and heavy phases in biodiesel processes
AU - Felice, Renzo Di
AU - De Faveri, Danilo
AU - De Andreis, Paola
AU - Ottonello, Piero
PY - 2008/10/15
Y1 - 2008/10/15
N2 - Knowledge of the component distribution in the biodiesel production process is fundamental both during the transesterification reaction, where reactants are partially miscible, and during the recovery of the final products, which exist in two separate phases, a heavy one containing nearly all of the glycerol and a light one containing nearly all of the biodiesel. In this article, a simple methodology able to predict the product distribution at equilibrium between the heavy and light phases is suggested. Experimental equilibrium data for mixtures of two (biodiesel and glycerol), three (biodiesel, glycerol, and methanol), and four (biodiesel, glycerol, methanol, and water) components are collected and correlated with the Wilson activity coefficient model. The approach is based on thermodynamic data already available in the literature, without the addition of any empirical fitting parameter. A small effect brought about by the presence of water at low concentrations on methanol distribution between the two phases is pointed out and qualitatively supported by the model predictions. The influence of the addition of electrolyte contaminants (soap or catalysts) is also considered.
AB - Knowledge of the component distribution in the biodiesel production process is fundamental both during the transesterification reaction, where reactants are partially miscible, and during the recovery of the final products, which exist in two separate phases, a heavy one containing nearly all of the glycerol and a light one containing nearly all of the biodiesel. In this article, a simple methodology able to predict the product distribution at equilibrium between the heavy and light phases is suggested. Experimental equilibrium data for mixtures of two (biodiesel and glycerol), three (biodiesel, glycerol, and methanol), and four (biodiesel, glycerol, methanol, and water) components are collected and correlated with the Wilson activity coefficient model. The approach is based on thermodynamic data already available in the literature, without the addition of any empirical fitting parameter. A small effect brought about by the presence of water at low concentrations on methanol distribution between the two phases is pointed out and qualitatively supported by the model predictions. The influence of the addition of electrolyte contaminants (soap or catalysts) is also considered.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=54949138445&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=54949138445&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1021/ie800510w
DO - 10.1021/ie800510w
M3 - Article
VL - 47
SP - 7862
EP - 7867
JO - Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
JF - Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
SN - 0888-5885
IS - 20
ER -