Methyl ester production process from palm fatty acid distillate using hydrodynamic cavitation reactors in series with...

Area of Science:

• Chemical Engineering
• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) contains high free fatty acids (FFAs), necessitating efficient reduction for biodiesel production.
• Hydrodynamic cavitation reactors (HCRs) offer a promising method to accelerate esterification reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the esterification of FFAs in PFAD using a series of HCRs and a solid acid catalyst.
• To determine the optimal operating parameters for maximizing methyl ester purity and biodiesel yield.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a series of three HCRs equipped with 3D-printed rotors/stators and Amberlyst-15 catalyst.
• Employed response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize methanol concentration, circulation time, and rotor speed.
• Analyzed catalyst properties using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET surface area analysis.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum methyl ester purity of 89.76 wt% under optimal conditions (9 wt% methanol, 133 min circulation, 2000 rpm rotor speed).
• Obtained an 82.48 wt% biodiesel yield from the HCRs in series.
• Observed minor physical changes in the Amberlyst-15 catalyst post-reaction, with a BET surface area of 41.68 m²/g.

Conclusions:

• HCRs technology provides a viable process for FFA reduction, enhancing biodiesel production efficiency.
• The optimized conditions advance biodiesel production processes and offer insights into catalyst performance in HCRs.
• The study demonstrates the potential of integrated HCRs for efficient esterification of FFAs.