PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF OSCILLATORY FLOW BIODIESEL REACTOR FOR CONTINUOUS BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM JATROPHA TRIGLYCERIDES

The concept of a continuous process in producing biodiesel from jatropha oil byusing an Oscillatory Flow Biodiesel Reactor (OFBR) is discussed in this paper.It has been recognized that the batch stirred reactor is a primary mode used inthe synthesis of biodiesel. However, pulsatile flow has been extensivelyresearcehed and the fundamental principles have been successfully developedupon which its hydrodynamics are based. Oscillatory flow biodiesel reactoroffers precise control of mixing by means of the baffle geometry and pulsationwhich facilitates to continuous operation, giving plug flow residence timedistribution with high turbulence and enhanced mass and heat transfer. Inconjunction with the concept of reactor design, parameters such as reactordimensions, the hydrodynamic studies and physical properties of reactants must be considered prior to the design work initiated recently. The OFBR reactordesign involves the use of simulation software, ASPEN PLUS and the reactordesign fundamentals. Following this, the design parameters shall be applied infabricating the OFBR for laboratory scale biodiesel production.