Biodiesel Production from Reactive Distillation Column

Abstract

In this work, production of methyl dodecanoate (biodiesel) using dodecanoic acid and methanol with a solid acid catalyst of sulfated zirconia is studied by using reactive distillation column. ChemCad 6.0.1 version is used for this simulation. Reactants are fed , methanol to dodecanoic acid feed ratio = 1.3:1 (1 kmol/h). The RD column has 20 stages and  reflux ratio (R = 3). The fatty acid is fed above and methanol below the reactive zone (mid 15 stages), respectively. In order to reduce the amount of dodecanoic acid in the final product, the fatty acid—- heavier than the alcohol—must be fed in the top of reactive zone. The composition and temperature profile in the reactive distillation column are obtained.  It is concluded that reduced capital and operating costs, due to less units and lower energy consumption, biodiesel is produced by using RD column.