A

Synopsis report
On

“Optimization of Synthesis of Biodiesel Using

Membrane”

Submitted for partial fulfillment Master of Technology in Chemical

Technology
By

Pankaj R.Wankhade
(M.tech. Second Year)
Membrane & Separation
Technology

Guided by
Dr.V.S. Sapkal
Prof. & Head of the Department
University Deptt. Of Chemical Technology

University Department of Chemical Technology,

Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati
Session 2010-11

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 “Optimization of Synthesis of Biodiesel Using
Membrane”
Introduction:
Due to the increase in the price of petroleum crude and products and

environmental concerns about air pollution caused by the combustion of fossil

fuels, the search for alternative fuels has gained importance. Biodiesel (fatty acid

methyl esters) derived from the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats

with methanol are potential substitutes for petroleum-based diesel fuels.

Compared with conventional diesel, biodiesel has the advantages of being

biodegradable, renewable, non-toxic, and have low pollutant emissions

(especially Sox). India imported about 2/3rd of its petroleum requirement last

year, which involved a cost of approximately Rs. 80,000 crores in foreign

exchange. Even 5% replacement of petroleum fuel by bio-fuel can help India and

save Rs. 4000 corers per year in foreign exchange. It is utmost important that the

options for substitution of petroleum fuels be explored to control this import bill.

The degrading air quality, mainly in urban areas, further warrants the

quest for alternate clean fuels. With the stock of fossil fuels diminishing

throughout the world and demand for energy based comforts and mobility ever

increasing, time is ripe that we strike a balance between energy security and

energy usage. Several sources of energy, especially for driving the automotives

are being developed and tested. The main commodity sources for Biodiesel in

India can be non-edible oils obtained from plant species such as Jatropha curcas

(Ratanjyot), Pongamia pinnata (Karanj), Calophyllum inophyllum (Nagchampa),

Hevca brasiliensis (Rubber),Castor ,Cottonseed, Coconut etc . At present,

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biodiesel is usually produced by reacting methanol and vegetable oil in a batch

stirred tank reactor using a liquid alkaline catalyst. The catalyst cannot be

recovered from the reactor and is instead neutralized and disposed of as a waste

stream. A heterogeneously-catalyzed process offers a number of advantages

over current technology, namely the simplification and economization of the

catalyst removal step, the removal potential by forming emulsions and the

simplification of downstream separation processes.

Chemically biodiesel is monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived

from renewable feed stock like vegetable oils and animal fats. It is produced by

transesterification in which, oil or fat is reacted with a monohydric alcohol in

presence of a catalyst. The process of transesterification is affected by the mode

of reaction condition, molar ratio of alcohol to oil, type of alcohol, type and

amount of catalysts, reaction time and temperature and purity of reactants. The

objective of the above work is to study the various methods of synthesis of

biodiesel by using various feedstocks of non edible vegetable oils.

In the present work both the conventional transesterification method and

reactive distillation method shall be compared for various parameters such as

yield, technical feasibility and economic feasibility.The various operating

parameters (pressure and temperature) for transesterification reaction will be

optimized. Kinetic and thermodynamic study of reaction carried out in distillation

column at catalyst bed as compared to the reaction in CSTR will be carried out.

The recovery of biodiesel in Reactive Distillation will be compared to that in

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CSTR method. Thus the aim and objective of the present study will be to

recognize and demonstrate the optimized process for synthesis of biodiesel.

Scope of Work:-

In the present study, various catalysts such as homogeneous and

heterogeneous catalysts shall be used and suitable catalysts can be chosen for

transesterification reaction.

The suitable non edible vegetable oil can be found out for synthesis of

biodiesel after using various feedstocks and comparing their yield and properties.

The selection of appropriate technology for production of biodiesel

requires careful selection of processing steps, catalyst and downstream process

integration. The quality of feed vegetable oil particularly FFA content plays and

important role in identifying the suitable technology. Therefore, characterization

of feedstocks shall be made before using these feedstocks for biodiesel

synthesis.

Review of Literature:
From the literature review, it is found that the Alkali catalyzed

transesterification is considered to be the best amongst all methods available for

the production of biodiesel from fresh oil.

Benefits of Biodiesel

 Substitute or extender for petroleum diesel.

 No need of any special pumps or high pressure equipment for fueling.

 No need to buy special vehicles or engines to run on bio-diesel.

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 100 percent bio diesel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 75

percent compared to petroleum diesel.

Using a blend of 20% bio-diesel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 15%

 Biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel, so it contributes to a more complete fuel burn

and a greatly improved emissions profile. Biodiesel produces fewer particulate,

carbon monoxide, greenhouse gases and sulfur dioxide emissions, reducing

public health risks.

 It will reduce the country's dependence on imported oil.

 its flash point is > 150°C, compared to 77°C for petroleum diesel. Hence, it is

safe to handle, store, and transport.

 has superior lubrication capabilities and increases engine life.

Transesterification is the process of reacting a triglyceride molecule with an

excess of alcohol in the presence of a catalyst (KOH, NaOH, NaOCN3, etc.) to

produce glycerin and fatty esters. The mixture of fatty esters produced by this

reaction is known as biodiesel. The properties of the biodiesel fuel are

determined by the amounts of each fatty acid used to produce the esters. Fatty

acids are designated by two numbers: the first number denotes the total number

of carbon atoms in the fatty acid and the second is the number of double bonds.

Commercial Biodiesel Technologies

Currently used technologies for producing biodiesel can be classified into three

categories:

i. Base catalyzed transesterification with refined oils

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ii. Base catalyzed transesterification with low fatty acid greases and fats

iii. Esterification followed by transesterification of lower or high free fatty acid fats

and oils.

Any of these processes can be selected to produce biodiesel depending upon

the characteristics of feed oil stock.

Biodiesel produced meets standard specifications (ASTM / European / BIS

proposed) by all three processes.

Methanol recovery: for the methanol recovery we used pervaporation

technique in this technique we used hydrophobic membrane (PTFE) & create

vacuum with the help of vacuum pump by using this technique it is very easy to

separate methanol from water & we get pure methanol, which can be reused for

the synthesis of biodiesel.

Biodiesel refining: Once separated from the glycerin, the biodiesel goes

through a clean-up or purification process to remove excess alcohol, residual

catalyst and soaps. This consists of one or more washings with clean water. It is

then dried and sent to storage. Sometimes the biodiesel goes through an

additional distillation step to produce a colorless, odorless, zero-sulfur biodiesel.

Glycerin refining: The glycerin by-product contains unreacted catalyst and

soaps that are neutralized with an acid. Water and alcohol are removed to

produce 50%-80% crude glycerin. The remaining contaminants include

unreacted fats and oils. In large biodiesel plants, the glycerin can be further

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purified, to 99% or higher purity, for sale to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic

industries.

Methodology:

In the present work the various discrepancies of basic technology will be

examined to optimize the synthesis of biodiesel.

• The use of 3 different feedstock vegetable oils namely, castor oil ,

cottonseed oil and coconut shall be done for synthesis of biodiesel

• Optimization of operating parameters (pressure and temperature) for

transesterification reaction.

• Synthesis of biodiesel using reactive distillation column

• Kinetic and thermodynamic study of transesterification reaction carried

out in distillation column at catalyst bed as compared to the reaction in CSTR.

• Single CSTR and CSTR in cascade shall be used for experimentation.

• Comparison of recovery of biodiesel in Reactive Distillation Vs

Conventional methods.

• To identify and demonstrate the optimized process for synthesis of

biodiesel.

Justification of work:

Today, at the beginning of the 21 st Century, we must step forward to help

solve the climate and energy crises and protect our environment. Fossil fuels
demand to meet energy requirements, is increasing every day and oil reserves
are reducing dramatically. For this reason, the production of renewable fuels has

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acquired great importance in the last years in order to satisfy these energy
necessities. Biodiesel is proved to be one of the best options to solve energy
crisis of the world.

References:
1) Amish P. Vyas , N. Subrahmanyam , Payal A. Patel, “Production of

biodiesel through transesterification of Jatropha oil using KNO3/Al2O3

solid catalyst”, Elsevier, Fuel 88 (2009) 625–628

2) Sridharan, R., and I.M. Mathai, Transesterification Reactions, J,Sri.Ind.

Res. 33:178-187(1974).

3) Liping Zhang , Boyang Sheng , Zhong Xin,*, Qun Liu , Shuzhen

Sun,”Kinetics of transesterification of palm oil and dimethyl carbonate for

biodiesel production at the catalysis of heterogeneous base catalyst”,

Elsevier, Bioresource Technology (101) 2010,

4) S.K.Karmee,A.Chadha,Bioresour.Technol.96(2005)1425.

5) A.S.Ramadhas,S.Jayaraj,C.Muraleedharan,Fuel84(2005)335.

6) S.L.Dmytryshyn,A.K.Dalai,S.T.Chaudhari,Bioresour.Technol.92

(2004)55.

Submitted By: Supervised By:

Mr. Pankaj R. Wankhade Dr. V.S.Sapkal

Amravati Prof. & Head UDCT,

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 Sant Gadge Baba Amravati
University, Amravati