Thermodynamic Analysis of Transesterification of Palm Oil to Biodiesel

This project is concerning the thermodynamic analysis on the transesterification of palm
oil to Biodiesel. Eventhough the chemical process for Biodiesel production have been
worldwide used, the computation of phase and chemical equilibrium involve in the
reaction is still lacking. Therefore this project will analyze the product composition of
the transesterification reaction when it is in equilibrium. Equilibrium state is very
important as at this state, the measurable properties of the system do no undergo any
noticeable changes under a particular set of condition. The maximum allowable
conversion of the ester will also be calculated by manipulation of reactant ratio, different
operating temperature and type of alcohol (methanol/ethanol). The method used to
calculate the equilibrium composition is stoichiometric method. In this method, the palm
oil or specifically Triolein and glycerol will be assumed in pure liquid phase meanwhile
alcohol and ester will be in solution phase. The activity coefficient is estimated using
UNIFAC Group Contribution method. There are also some of the properties like Gibbs
free energy of formation and enthalpy of formation that is estimated using properties
estimation method, the Joback and Constantinou and Gani method. From the results, it
can be concluded that when the reactant ratio is increased, the equilibrium concentration
for the ester increase. The proposed ratio of alcohol to triolein ratio would be 5:1. As for
manipulation of operating temperature, for methyl oleate system when temperature
increase conversion will also increase and for ethyl oleate conversion is decrease when
temperature is increased. When different type of alcohol is used, methanol gives much
higher conversion compared to ethanol. This is expected as methanol has more
advantages in term of physical and chemical properties.