TRANSESTERIFICATION OF SUNFLOWER OIL IN AN ATOMIZATION SYSTEM

Difficulties in mass transfer have been widely reported as challenges to be overcome in biodiesel production. In this context, the present study proposes using atomization to improve the transesterification of sunflower oil via the ethyl route. Preliminary experiments were carried out using different dosages of sodium hydroxide (0.1%-2.0%, w/w) and modes of operation (batch, dripping, and atomization). An experimental design was also carried out to evaluate the effects of atomization pressure (0.5-1.5 bar) and oil flow (3-9 g/min) on the conversion into ethyl ester. Generally, the highest conversion values were obtained during the first moments of operation (15 min) and under the highest ethanol: oil ratios. The conversion values followed the following feeding order: atomization > dripping > batch by reducing oil size. Under the ethanol: oil ratio of 60:1, 98.3% conversion was achieved in the atomization system using a pressure of 1.5 bar and an oil flow rate of 3 g/min, showing that this reactor design is attractive for biodiesel production.