STUDY OF METHODS FOR NEUTRALIZING BIODIESEL WITH AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF CITRIC ACID

Abstract

The production of methyl esters of fatty acids, also called biodiesel, by traditional technology occurs in the presence of an alkaline homogeneous catalyst, which does not react, but only accelerates it, remaining in the manufactured methyl ester of fatty acids and causing engine corrosion. Purification of methyl esters of fatty acids from a homogeneous catalyst must be preceded by its neutralization. An aqueous solution of inorganic (hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, etc.) and organic (acetic, citric) acids is used for this purpose. The aim of the study is to determine the establishment of optimal and rational parameters for the neutralization of methyl esters of fatty acids. Studies of the effectiveness of neutralization of methyl esters of fatty acids were performed by mixing it with an aqueous solution of citric acid (volumetric method) and by spraying an aqueous solution of citric acid over a layer of methyl ester of fatty acids (aerosol method). Investigations of the influence of the stirrer parameters on the alkalinity of the neutralized methyl ester of fatty acids were performed at temperatures of 20°C, 40°C, 60°C and 80°C and stirrer shaft speeds of 200, 350, 500 and 650 rpm. The stirring time was 5 minutes The study of the effect of nebulizer parameters on the alkalinity of fatty acid methyl ester was performed by spraying 6 ml of an aqueous solution of 1% citric acid per 100 ml of fatty acid methyl ester through a centrifugal full-cone spray "Dis and Core". The spraying time was 1.5-3 s at a pressure of 0.15-0.25 at. It is experimentally established that the neutralization of biodiesel should be carried out in a three-dimensional way at a temperature of 40°C and a rational speed of the stirrer shaft 240-410 rpm/min., While the optimal speed of the stirrer shaft is 323 rpm/min.