Characterising the conversion of transesterification reaction by modelling of glycerol-rich phase

摘要

The preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) involves different phase changes which are not yet characterised. The reaction media in its initial and final stages form two phases; top phase being FAME/unreacted oil and bottom phase being glycerol/methanol. The exact point when the bottom phase starts forming is not well defined. Experimental data of the reaction media composition gives an understanding of the formation of the glycerol phase. A model built for its theoretical concurrence showed good agreement with experimental data. From experimentation, the density of the bottom glycerol/methanol phase showed to be a good and simple indicator of the reaction conversion.