ASCENDANCY OF ULTRASONIC REACTOR FOR MICRO BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

Authors

  • C. S. Abdullah School of Technology Management and Logistics, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
  • N. Baluch School of Technology Management and Logistics, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
  • S. Mohtar School of Technology Management and Logistics, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/jt.v77.6132

Keywords:

Biodiesel, biofuels, green energy, transesterification, ultrasonics, ultrasonic reactor

Abstract

Biodiesel is a form of biofuel; diesel fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled greases. Biodiesel is produced through a process called transesterification which involves taking naturally occurring carbon chain molecules, known as triglycerides, found in such feed stocks as seed oils and animal fats, and converting them into methyl esters, which is the chemical term for biodiesel. The conventional transesterification of the triglycerides to fatty methyl esters and glycerin is slow and not complete. During the conversion process not all fatty acid chains are turned into alkyl esters (biodiesel) reducing biodiesel quality and yield, significantly. In considering a new biodiesel facility or an upgrade of existing biodiesel plant, it is imperative that ultrasonic mixing technology be considered; it is efficient and ideal for micro scale biodiesel processing. This paper infers the efficiency of Ultrasonics for the ultrasonication of liquids and gleans that Ultrasonic cavitational mixing is the most advanced means to form fine-size emulsions at micro processing scale.  The paper construes the innovative ascendancy of ‘Ultrasonic Reactor’ for micro scale production of biodiesel and demonstrates that there is a direct link between methanol droplet size, biodiesel yield, and conversion speed which makes ultrasonic reactors the most productive technology in the biodiesel industry. The paper concludes that biofuels are sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and biodiesel is a green energy source for agriculture, transport and power generation at micro level use in rural communities. 

References

BP Statistics, 2014, BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2014. [Online]. Retrieved on 26 July 2015 from:http://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/pdf/Energy-economics/statistical-review-2014/BP-statistical-review-of-world-energy-2014-full-report.pdf

International Energy Agency (IEA), 2013, ‘Biofuels Outlook Market Developments and Policy Challenges’ Report.[Online]Retrieved on 25 July 2015 from: http://www.ieabioenergy.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/05/P01-Biofuels-Outlook-market-developments-and-policy-challenges-Eisentraut.pdf

GAIN Report No: NL 3034, August 2013, “Global biofuels an overview from European Biofuels Platformâ€.[Online].Retrieved on 24 December 2013 from: http://www.biofuelstp.eu/global_overview.html

Heinberg, R., 2013, “SNAKE OIL: How Fracking’s False Promise of Plenty Imperils Our Futureâ€, Post Carbon Institute, CA, USA ISBN-10: 0976751097

Papworth, J., 2011, Editorial Fourth World Review, 2011. [Online].Retrieved on 19 November 2012 from: http://ilcongresso.info/files/2011/12/4wrmag1.pdf

Max-Neef, M. A., 1992, “From the Outside Looking In: Experiences in Barefoot Economics†Dag Hammarskjöld Foundationâ€, pp. 208. ISBN 1-85649-188-9. Retrieved on 2011-02-15.

Baluch, N., 2013, “Coconut Biofuel and the role of Maintenance Technology Management in Sustaining Coastal Rural Communities: Contextualising Exigency of Almond Beach Community in Guyanaâ€, paper presented at AACS Conference Hosted By La Trobe University Melbourne, Australia, at Victoria Hotel CBD 14-16 Feb 2013

Munoz, J.M.2010. Contemporary Microenterprise: Concepts and Cases. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.[Online].http://www.e

elgar.com/Bookentry_Main.lasso?id=13820

ESRU, 2013, “What Is Biodieselâ€, Energy Systems Research Unit University of Strathclyde Glasgow UK.[Online]. Retrieved on 26 December 2013 from: http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/02-03/biofuels/what_biodiesel.htm

Leung, D. Y.C., Wu, X., and Leung, M. K. H., 2010, “A Review On Biodiesel Production Using Catalyzed Transesterificationâ€. Applied Energy. 87(4): 1083–1095

Biodiesel, 2013, US Department of Energy, Office of Transportation and Air Quality,[Online].Retrieved on 6/6/13 from:http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/

biodiesel.shtml

Shah, G., 2009, “Case Study: Importance of Quality in Biodiesel Start-upsâ€, QTA Quality Trait Analysis, Cognis, OH. USA.[Online]. Retrieved on 26 December 2013 from: http://www2.qta.com/clientimages/43916/

casestudies/casestudy.importance%20of%20quality%20in%20biodiesel%20startups.pdf.

Suslick, K. S.; Skrabalak, S. E. 2008. "Sonocatalysis" In Handbook of Heterogeneous Catalysis, Ertl, G.; Knzinger, H.; Schth, F.; Weitkamp, J., Eds.; Wiley-VCH: Weinheim. 4: 2006-2017.

Towerton, G., 2007, “The Use Of Ultrasonic Reactors In A Small Scale Continuous Biodiesel Processâ€, G&M Global Enterprises Inc., 1207 NW 1st Street, Amarillo TX 79107, U.S.A, www.customchempack.com

Gipe, P, 2013, "100 Percent Renewable Vision Building", Renewable Energy World.[Online]. Retrieved on 24 December 2013 from: http://www.renewables100.org/pathways-to-100/ Retrieved on 25 Dec 2013

Downloads

Published

2015-11-05

How to Cite

ASCENDANCY OF ULTRASONIC REACTOR FOR MICRO BIODIESEL PRODUCTION. (2015). Jurnal Teknologi, 77(5). https://doi.org/10.11113/jt.v77.6132