Rapid high conversion of high free fatty acid feedstock into biodiesel using continuous flow vortex fluidics

Abstract

Conversion of high free fatty acid (FFA) feedstock (94.4%) to biodiesel with undetectable FFA content is effective using room temperature vortex fluidic flow chemistry, with the conversion taking <1 minute residence time, using dramatically less methanol and acid catalyst compared to other processes. Optimum conditions are 1 : 6 volumetric ratio of oil feedstock to methanol and 0.2 molar equivalents of H₂SO₄ catalyst loading, for a combined flow rate of 3.50 mL min⁻¹ in a 17.7 mm internal diameter tube rotating at 7500 rpm. This work furthers the viability of using high FFA content feedstocks for biodiesel production.