engleski

Mathematical Modelling of Lipase Catalysed Biodiesel Synthesis in a Microreactor

Development of green, clean and sustainable processes presents new challenges in today's science. Production of fuel is no exception. Utilizing various renewable sources, synthesis of biodiesel, characterised as more environmentally- friendly then fossil fuel, has drawn significant attention. Although, process based on chemical transesterification in a batch reactor still presents the most used method for its production, enzyme catalysed synthesis of biodiesel in a microreactor could be a new approach for going green. In this research, edible and waste cooking sunflower oil and methanol as substrates and lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipolase L100) as a catalyst were used for biodiesel synthesis in a microreactor. For a residence time of 14 min a fatty acids methyl esters (FAME) content was higher than 25%. In order to enhance productivity of the process, a mathematical model was developed. After validation on independent experimental data, a proposed model was used for process optimization in order to obtain highest FAME content for shortest residence time.

lipase ; biodiesel ; microreactor ; mathematical modelling

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