Modeling and simulation of reaction kinetics for biodiesel production

by 1952- Turner, Timothy Lawrence

TURNER, TIMOTHY LAWRENCE. Modeling and Simulation of Reaction Kinetics for Biodiesel Production. (Under the direction of Richard R. Johnson and William L. Roberts) Biodiesel has emerged as a viable substitute for petroleum diesel. The fuel can be made easily from either virgin or waste vegetable oil. A common means of production is base-catalyzed transesterification. After twenty-five years of study, the description of the kinetics of transesterification for biodiesel remains controversial. There are conflicting findings as to the order of reaction, and estimates of reaction rate constants vary widely. After analyzing the prior work on kinetics, this thesis gives support to a kinetic model based on careful examination of chemical mechanisms and of competing reactions. It then describes the extensions to the model that are needed in order to build a predictive model for biodiesel reactions. A computer simulation of the rate equations, with extensions for the effect of temperature, is used to analyze the implications of the model. Modeling and Simulation of Reaction Kinetics for Biodiesel Production by Timothy Lawrence Turner A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Mechanical Engineering Raleigh, NC 2005 Approved by: _______________________________ Richard R. Johnson Co-Chair of Advisory Committee _______________________________ William L. Roberts Co-Chair of Advisory Committee _______________________________ Gregory D. Buckner