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Continuous microwave-assisted biodiesel production

dc.contributor.advisorMarx, S.
dc.contributor.authorNodede, Nomsa Cynthia
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-12T10:32:46Z
dc.date.available2017-05-12T10:32:46Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.descriptionMSc (Engineering Sciences in Chemical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2016en_US
dc.description.abstractThe impetus of this study focuses on the production of fuel-substitute i.e. biofuels. This arises from its similar properties with petroleum diesel and being environmentally benign. In particular, biodiesel is defined as composed of mono-alkyl esters with long fatty acids chains. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effect of surface area of the reactor vessel when producing biodiesel using continuous microwave-assisted transesterification. The effects of energy input on FAME yields and biodiesel properties were determined. Three different tubular reactor coils with same volume (100 ml) and different surface area (0.082, 0.057, and 0.045 m2) were used in this study. The experiments were carried out in one of these reactors, with a constant 6:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and constant 1wt% KOH catalyst, varying residence time (40, 50, and 60 s) and 400, 500, 600 W microwave powers. According to results, the highest FAME yield was obtained at 50 s residence time, 400 W microwave power with an energy input of 67.96 J/g at reactor surface (0.082 m2). A further increase of power usage led to a decrease in FAME yields. Produced biodiesel was analysed using gas chromatography (GC), Fourier transformer infrared spectrometer (FTIR) eraspec, Eraflash, and Viscometer. Biodiesel was tested according to SANS 1935 standard specification. The properties of produced biodiesel met the SANS 1935 standard specification. Viscosity and oxidation stability did not meet the requirements. It was noticed that when oxidation stability values are low, the viscosity decreases. An antioxidant plays a pivotal role to stabilise biodieselen_US
dc.description.thesistypeMastersen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10394/21938
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherNorth-West University (South Africa) , Potchefstroom Campusen_US
dc.subjectBiodieselen_US
dc.subjectSurface areaen_US
dc.subjectContinuous microwaveen_US
dc.subjectEnergy inputen_US
dc.subjectPropertiesen_US
dc.titleContinuous microwave-assisted biodiesel productionen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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