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Continuous screening of base-catalysed biodiesel production using New designs of mesoscale oscillatory baffled reactors

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Anh Phan, Professor Adam Harvey

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Abstract

Base-catalysed biodiesel production was continuously screened using new designs of mesoscale oscillatory baffled reactors. Experiments were carried out at very low flow rates, less than 2 ml/min, which would be in the laminar flow regime in non oscillatory, steady state. Initially central disc baffles and helically wound wires were used, but provided insufficient mixing at this scale as demonstrated by glycerol settling. A new design of sharp-edged, helically baffled reactor was developed specifically for this application, which exhibited homogeneous mixing in the two-phase liquid reaction even at these low flow rates and low oscillatory Reynolds numbers. Methyl ester (biodiesel) was produced at a consistent quality and there were clear responses to variations in input conditions. A clear step-change between various steady state molar ratios of methanol to oil and dynamic screening was observed in these mesoscale oscillatory baffled reactors. Rapid screening technique such as this has the potential to significantly reduce process development, operating costs and environmental impact. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Phan AN, Harvey AP, Rawcliffe M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Fuel Processing Technology

Year: 2011

Volume: 92

Issue: 8

Pages: 1560-1567

Print publication date: 06/05/2011

ISSN (print): 0378-3820

ISSN (electronic): 1873-7188

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2011.03.022

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2011.03.022

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