Design and testing of continuous acid-catalyzed esterification reactor for high free fatty acid mixed crude palm oil |
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Authors: | Gumpon Prateepchaikul Krit Somnuk Michael Allen |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, 90112 Thailand;2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Mongkut''s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chumphon Campus, Chumco, Pathiu, Chumphon, 86160 Thailand |
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Abstract: | Using acid-catalyzed esterification, a continuous reactor, containing four separate continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR's), was designed and used to reduce the free fatty acid (FFA) content of mixed crude palm oil (MCPO). A six-blade disk turbine and four baffles were installed in each of the four reactors to enhance mixing. The complete reactor was tested using response surface methodology (RSM). A 5-level, 4-factor, central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the four important reaction variables (methanol/oil ratio; sulfuric acid/oil ratio; speed of the stirrer; and residence time) to reduce the FFA content of the MCPO to less than 1 wt.% of oil. Multiple regression analysis was used to derive a polynomial equation to predict the FFA content of the product. This was then used to indicate optimal conditions for reducing the FFA in mixed crude palm oil to less than 1 wt.%. |
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Keywords: | Mixed crude palm oil High free fatty acid oil Esterification Continuous stirred tank reactor |
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