CFD SIMULATION OF FATTY ACID METHYL ESTER

PRODUCTION IN BUBBLE COLUMN REACTOR

A MAJOR PROJECT REPORT
Submitted by

MEDISHETTI MAHESHWARI

ROLL NO : B131381
KESHAVENI VENKATESH
ROLL NO : B121687
In partial fulfillment of major project for the award of the degree

of

BATCHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
IN
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Under the guidance of
P. HARIBABU (Assistant professor)

Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies

Basar,Nirmal, Telangana
February 2019

I
 CONETNTS
Abstract ………………………………………………………………..III
CHAPTER 1
Introduction ……………………………………………………………1
1.1 Bubble column reactor ……………………………………………2
1.2 Computational Fluid Dynamics model …………………………..2
CHAPTER 2
Literature Survey ………………………………………………………3
CHAPTER 3
Methodology ……………………………………………………………4

II
 ABSTRACT
Non catalytic transesterification is one of the methods, which was used to produce the fatty acid

methyl ester (FAME) by blowing super heated methanol bubbles continuously into the vegetable

oil without using any catalyst. This research aimed to simulate the production of fatty acid methyl

ester (FAME) from palm oil in a bubble column reactor.

The Computational fluid dynamics simulation was used to predict the distribution of fatty acid

methyl ester and other products in the reactor. The fluid flow and component of concentration

along the reaction time was investigated and the effect of reaction temperature (523 K and 563 K)

on the non catalytic transesetrification process has been examined.

This study shows that how the temperature effects the amount of fatty acid methyl ester can be

produced in shorter time. Other products formed in this reactor along with fatty acid methyl ester

are Triglyceride and glycerol.

III
1.0 Introduction
Biodiesel is an alternative diesel fuel that is currently being used as blended fuel for
transportation. Fatty acid methyl esters are acids that are created during transesterification of
vegetable oils and animal fats that create biodiesel. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is the generic
chemical term for biodiesel derived from renewable sources. It is used to extend or replace
mineral diesels and gas oils used to fuel on and off-road vehicles and static engines.
The most common method to produce biodiesel are through a process known as
transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats and an alcohol in presence of catalyst or without
catalyst. Replacing fossil fuels with biodiesel is mostly due to the environmental policies to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions which are known as the causes for global warming and
greenhouse effect.

Transesterification
Transesterification involves splitting the three alkoxy groups from the glyceryl backbone of the
triglyceride (oil/fat). Reaction with alcohol produces three lower molecular weight esters (FAME)
and liberates glycerol as a by-product.

FAME biodiesel can be produced from?

A wide variety of oils and animal fats can be used to produce FAME fuel.
The most commonly used oils and fats include

 Used cooking oils

 Animal fats/tallow
 Soya oil
 Rapeseed oil
 Sunflower oil
 Palm oil
The physical characteristics of fatty acid esters are closer to those of fossil diesel fuels than pure
vegetable oils, but properties depend on the type of vegetable oil. A mixture of different fatty acid
methyl esters is commonly referred to as biodiesel, which is renewable alternative fuel. FAME
has physical properties similar to those of conventional diesels. It is also biodegradable and non-
toxic.

1
Comparison of Fuel Properties

Property FAME Diesel

Density at 20o C [ kg/l ] 0.88 0.83

Lower heating value [ MJ/kg ] 37.1 43.1

Viscosity at 20o C [ mm2/s ] 7.5 5.0

Cetane number 56 50

Fuel equivalence 0.91 1

1.1 Bubble column reactor

It is a cylindrical vessel which equipped with a gas distributor at the bottom. The gas bubbles will
diffuse into the surrounding liquid and react with the dissolved reactants.
Bubble column reactor is developed to produce fatty acid methyl ester by blowing bubbles of
super heated methanol vapors continuously into vegetable oils without using any catalyst.
There are two modes of operation that valid for bubble column which are semi batch mode and
continuous mode. For continuous mode operation the gas and suspension flow concurrently
upward into the column and the suspension that leaves the column will be recycled to feed tank.
For semi batch mode operation the suspension is in stationary condition, which means that it is
zero liquid throughputs and the gas is bubbling upward into the column.

1.2 Computational fluid dynamics model

The computational fluid dynamics model of bubble column reactor can be used to understand the
physical and chemical process for the study. The development of a CFD model allows different
reactor designs like various diameter and length and operating conditions [flow rate] to be easily
tested.
This study is used to predict the velocity distribution, pressure, concentration and temperature
profiles in (column reactor) CFD model and it is to predict the component concentrations in the
bubble column reactor for biodiesel production. CFD model is used to investigate the fluid flow
inside the bubble column reactor during the reaction happens.

2
2. Literature survey
Abbaszaadeh, A, Ghobadian, B., Omidkhah, M. R., & Najafi, G. (2012).
Current biodiesel production technologies: A comparative review. In Energy
Conversion and Management.
In this paper, a comparative review of the current technological methods so far used to produce
biodiesel has been investigated. Four primary approaches to make biodiesel are direct use and
blending of vegetable oils, micro-emulsions, thermal cracking (pyrolysis) and transesterification.
The transesterification reaction, the most common method in the production of biodiesel, is
emphasized in this review. Both advantages and disadvantages of the different biodiesel
production methods are also discussed.

Abdullah, A. Z., Salamatinia, B., Mootabadi, H., & Bhatia, S. (2009). Current
status and policies on biodiesel industry in Malaysia as the world’s leading
producer of palm oil. Energy Policy.
This article discusses current status of palm oil based biodiesel industry in Malaysia, the policies
introduced and strategies for its implementation. Due to renewability, high production rate,
technical feasibility and role in reducing greenhouse gases emissions, palm oil is in the right
position to supply the energy needs by the incorporation into the diesel supply.

Kantarci, N., Borak, F., & Ulgen, K. O. (2005b). Bubble column reactors.
Process Biochemistry.
This article described about the bubble column reactors. Bubble columns are intensively used as
multiphase contactors and reactors in chemical, biochemical and petrochemical industries. They
provide several advantages during operation and maintenance such as high heat and mass transfer
rates, compactness and low operating and maintenance costs. Moreover, experimental studies are
supported with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and developed mathematical
models to describe better the phenomena taking place in a bubble column reactor.

Joelianingsih, Maeda, H., Hagiwara, S., Nabetani, H., Sagara, Y.,

Soerawidjaya, T. H., Abdullah, K. (2008). Biodiesel fuels from palm oil via the
non-catalytic transesterification in a bubble column reactor at atmospheric
pressure: A kinetic study. Renewable Energy.
This article discussed about the formation of fatty acid methyl esters via transesterification of
vegetable oils with short-chain alcohol has long been a preferred method. A new reactor was
developed to produce fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) by blowing bubbles of super heated
methanol vapor continuously into the vegetable oil without using any catalyst. A kinetic study on
the non-catalytic transesterifictaion of palm oil was made in a reactor without stirring at
atmospheric pressure. The effects of reaction temperatures (523 K and 563 K) on the conversion,
yield and composition of the reaction product under semi-batch operation are investigated.
3
3 Methodology
Computational fluid dynamic simulation ANSYS 19.2 Workbench is to be used to investigate the
fluid flow inside the bubble column reactor and to know the velocity distribution, pressure, and
concentration and temperature profiles. For modeling bubble column geometry solid works or
ANSYS Design modeler to be used.