Comparative study of Biodiesel Production from Ethanol and Babassu oil using Mechanical Agitation and Ultrasounds

Authors

  • Eduardo J. Mendes de Paiva Author
  • Jayne Carlos S. Barboza Author
  • Maria Lucia Caetano Pinto da Silva Author
  • Heizir Ferreira de Castro Author
  • Domingos Sávio Giordani Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24084/repqj09.610

Abstract

Babassu oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the

seeds of the babassu palm (Attalea speciosa), which grows in

most areas of South America. Brazil is the world's largest

exporter of ethanol; the advantages of this alcohol are concerned

to its renewable origin and low toxicity. In this work ethyl esters

of babassu oil were synthesized by alkaline catalysis in

homogeneous medium. The experimental design was used as a

tool for optimization of the transesterification reaction and also in

identifying key factors influencing the conversion into ethyl

esters. The transesterification reactions were performed using

two methods - the traditional mechanical agitation and agitation

promoted by ultrasound waves. The nuclear magnetic resonance

spectroscopy was used to quantify the conversion of all reactions

of transesterification. According to the model obtained for

mechanical agitation, conversions above 99% are obtained when

the stoichiometric ratio is set at 6:1, with 1.0% KOH, under

stirring at 400 rpm, in 60 minutes. Alkaline transesterification

assisted by ultrasound waves produced the best results with

respect to time of reaction and phase separation of glycerin and

ethyl esters. The experimental model showed that conversions

above 99% can be obtained in 10 minutes after adjusting the

other independent variables.

Author Biographies

  • Eduardo J. Mendes de Paiva

    Department of Chemical Engineering

    School of Engineering of Lorena – University of São Paulo

    CP 116 – 12600-970 – Lorena (Brazil)

    Phone/Fax number:+00551231533224

  • Jayne Carlos S. Barboza

    Department of Chemical Engineering

    School of Engineering of Lorena – University of São Paulo

    CP 116 – 12600-970 – Lorena (Brazil)

    Phone/Fax number:+00551231533224

  • Maria Lucia Caetano Pinto da Silva

    Department of Chemical Engineering

    School of Engineering of Lorena – University of São Paulo

    CP 116 – 12600-970 – Lorena (Brazil)

    Phone/Fax number:+00551231533224

  • Heizir Ferreira de Castro

    Department of Chemical Engineering

    School of Engineering of Lorena – University of São Paulo

    CP 116 – 12600-970 – Lorena (Brazil)

    Phone/Fax number:+00551231533224

  • Domingos Sávio Giordani

    Department of Chemical Engineering

    School of Engineering of Lorena – University of São Paulo

    CP 116 – 12600-970 – Lorena (Brazil)

    Phone/Fax number:+00551231533224, e-mail: giordani@dequi.eel.usp

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Published

2024-01-17

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Section

Articles