Overview The transesterification unit is designed to produce ASTM grade biodiesel by reacting low FFA oil or preesterified oils with excess methanol in the presence of a sodium methylate catalyst. Evaporator An oil drying system (Evaporator not shown) removes water and methanol after the esterification unit but prior to the transesterification system. The recovered … [Read more...]
Esterification – Biodiesel Part 3
Overview Feedstocks with high Free Fatty Acids cannot go directly to transesterification; first you must go through the esterification process. This is because the transesterification catalyst sodium methylolate reacts with the free fatty acids and forms soap. Instead, esterification of the free fatty acids is accomplished in two catalyst beds in series, with solid … [Read more...]