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Operation of a Small‐Scale Demonstration Plant for Biodiesel Synthesis under Supercritical Conditions
Author(s) -
Schürer Jochen,
Bersch Daniel,
Schlicker Sebastian,
Thiele Richard,
Wiborg Ole,
Ziogas Athanassios,
Zapf Ralf,
Kolb Gunther
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201600269
Subject(s) - supercritical fluid , biodiesel , process engineering , distillation , vacuum distillation , pilot plant , engineering , chemistry , catalysis , chemical engineering , pulp and paper industry , organic chemistry
A small‐scale demonstration plant was designed, set up, and operated for the heterogeneously catalyzed synthesis of biodiesel under supercritical conditions. An Aspen Plus® model was applied to minimize the energy demand for the product purification stages. Vacuum distillation followed by a small rectification column was identified as the optimum solution. The determination of the energy demand of the plant revealed the economic viability of the process as far as the energy consumption is concerned. The catalyst incorporated into the plant was selected through a screening procedure applying tricaprin as model substance. γ ‐Al 2 O 3 modified by acid treatment and La 2 O 3 supported by γ ‐Al 2 O 3 proved to be the most promising candidates. The stability of these formulations was proven by long‐term stability tests.