Continuous biodiesel production in a cascade of flow ideally stirred reactors

The continuous methanolysis of rapeseed oil catalyzed by KOH in a cascade of 4 flow stirred reactors at a steady state of 60 degrees C was studied. By comparing of the determined steady state concentrations of rapeseed oil, biodiesel and KOH in the reactors (under various initial concentrations of these components and feeding) with the assumed kinetic model the rate constants of the relevant differential rate equations for rapeseed oil consumption and biodiesel production were calculated. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.