Micro-reactor device for dbsa-catalyzed biodiesel synthesis from microalgae chlorella sp.

• Main Authors: Jazie, A. A., Nuhma, M. J., Abbas, H. A., Alias, H.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/93727/1/AliAJazie2020_Micro-ReactorDeviceforDBSA.pdf; http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/93727/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202017301005
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The micro-reactor device was fabricated from Teflon and tested as a tool for biodiesel synthesis process from micro algae using Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid catalyst. The variables influenceing on the biodiesel yield were optimized. The maximum yield of biodiesel of 99% was obtained at the reaction conditions of (temperature: 373.15 K, residence time: 20 min, methanol/oil ratio: 20, co-solvent amount: 30 wt% and catalyst amount: 11wt%). The influence of water content also investigated and recommended to be less than 0.5 wt %. The acid value also reduced to a value of less than 0.5 % at the optimum reaction condition. DBSA was found highly active catalyst for the esterification and transesterification reaction in the micro - reactor device. Biodiesel was produced in microreactor device at a small residence time (20 min) compared to the very long time consumed by the conventional batch process. Isopropanol was used as a co-solvent in the process and showed highly active in the biodiesel production.