Modelling and simulation of a triglyceride alcoholysis reaction

Abstract

Alcoholysis of triglycerides is a common method in the production of a renewable fuel - biodiesel, specifically methyl esters of fatty acids. In this work, kinetics of methanolysis was studied, with a focus on an undesired side reaction - hydrolysis. This side reaction, also called saponification, leads to deactivation of the used catalyst and affects the purity of the final product - biodiesel. For this reason, a model of methanolysis has been developed and verified considering both the main and side reactions. This mathematical model, assuming irreversibility of all reactions, is capable of describing measured experimental data under different initial reaction mixture composition and also different reaction temperature. The developed model was used for the prediction of optimal conditions of methanolysis under which saponification is reduced, and is important for the design of industrial manufacturing process, equipment and process control algorithms. ©ECMS Mauro Iacono, Francesco Palmieri, Marco Gribaudo, Massimo Ficco (Editors).