Biodiesel Fuel Production from Soybean Oil Using a Microreactor

The synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester from soybean oil was examined. A microreactor used as a reactor, and the results were compared with those by batch reaction. In reaction experiment, concentration by-product glycerol large when methanol/soybean ratio low, which inhibited mass transfer between methanol oil, result, reduced yield. On other hand, conducted under an emulsion state using microreactor, initial rate significantly increased, achieving specific interfacial area about 7 times larger than that Furthermore, decrease in suppressed space-time yield successfully increased. When segmented flow state, decreased because smaller area. However, coefficient increased 30-fold, furthermore, phase separation completed immediately after Finally, high temperature high-pressure operation enabled efficient production at 2 – 3 higher less amount catalyst and/or use to conventional method.