Ultrasonic, hydrodynamic and microwave biodiesel synthesis - A comparative study for continuous process

Petre Chipurici; Alexandru Vlaicu; Ioan Calinescu; Mircea Vinatoru; Marin Vasilescu; Nicoleta Daniela Ignat; T J Mason

doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.05.011

Ultrasonic, hydrodynamic and microwave biodiesel synthesis - A comparative study for continuous process

Ultrason Sonochem. 2019 Oct:57:38-47. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.05.011. Epub 2019 May 10.

Authors

Petre Chipurici¹, Alexandru Vlaicu¹, Ioan Calinescu², Mircea Vinatoru³, Marin Vasilescu⁴, Nicoleta Daniela Ignat⁵, T J Mason⁶

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, 1-7, Gh. Polizu, Bucharest 011061, Romania.
² Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, 1-7, Gh. Polizu, Bucharest 011061, Romania. Electronic address: ioan.calinescu@upb.ro.
³ Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, 1-7, Gh. Polizu, Bucharest 011061, Romania. Electronic address: mircea.vinatoru@upb.ro.
⁴ SC Progen IMPEX SRL, 1, Azurului, Bucharest 061191, Romania. Electronic address: office@progen.ro.
⁵ Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Business Engineering and Management, University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei No. 313, Bucharest 060042, Romania.
⁶ Centre for Research in the Built and Natural Environment, Coventry University, United Kingdom. Electronic address: apx077@coventry.ac.uk.

PMID: 31208617
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.05.011

Abstract

At this time biodiesel appears to be a viable proposition as a renewable energy source and an alternative to fossil-based fuels. Following many years of research, the use of process intensification techniques for the production of biodiesel is well documented. This work has focused more on a study of biodiesel production using continuous flow systems assisted by acoustic cavitation (ultrasonic or hydrodynamic) or microwaves. The target end user is the small or medium farm where such equipment could provide sufficient fuel for on-site agricultural machinery using renewable or waste green materials produced on site.

Keywords: Biodiesel; Continuous reactor; Hydrodynamic cavitation; Microwaves; Ultrasound assisted process.