BIODIESEL FROM WASTE PALM OIL

I. Description

Biodiesel, a type of biofuel, implies diesel obtained from biological sources such as plant or
animals. For this process, waste palm oil will be used as raw material for its and abundance and cheap
price. As it turns out there are essentially 4 ways of converting organic sources into biodiesel such as (1)
Direct use or blending of oils, (2) Micro-emulsion, (3) Pyrolysis, (4) Trans-esterification.

One of the very simple production methods of biodiesel is transesterification in which the
triolein sources are reacted with methanol under appropriate conditions, often in the presence of a
catalyst. The catalyst even through it is not consumed during the reaction helps decrease the reaction
times. The main product of these reactions is simply biodiesel while glycerol is produced as a by-product
in the aftermath of the reaction.

II. Advantage over other processes

Of the several methods, available for producing bio-diesel, transesterification of natural oils and
fats is currently the method of choice. Among the two types of transesterification, base-catalysed
transesterification method is selected. Base-catalysed reactions are performed at generally lower
temperatures, pressures, and reaction times and are less corrosive to industrial equipment than acid-
catalysed methods. Therefore, fewer capital and operating costs are incurred by biodiesel production
facilities.

III. Reactions, Equilibrium Constants, and Rate Equations

Parameters

 Reactor type: 2 CSTR, in series

 Total Conversion: 99%

Reactions at 50oC:
 Rate equations used for volume calculations:

Rate constants:

Rate Value
constant
(mol/dm^3-
s)
k1 0.049
k2 0.102
k3 0.218
k4 1.280
k5 0.239
k6 0.007
k7 7.84x10^-5
k8 1.58x10^-5

IV. List of Chemicals

 KOH
 Waste palm oil
 Methanol
 Catalyst: sodium methoxide