Features
Chemical transesterification
Two-stage process
Plant controlled via PLC and touch panel
The use of renewable energy carriers in the mobility sector can happen by replacing fossil fuels. One option is biodiesel, which is obtained from vegetable oils. It is produced by adding methanol and potassium hydroxide (as catalyst) and is a transesterification, a chemical equilibrium  reaction.  On  a  large  industrial  scale, production is carried out continuously in stirred tank reactors. This process is demonstrated on a small scale by Bio Diesel Plant Order Code : 32500 experimental plant. The chemical reaction takes place at temperatures of around 60°C. The products leave the reactor after a predefined dwell time. The products are a two-phase mixture:  A  biodiesel-rich  phase  and  a  phase  with byproducts. The by-products are pumped out of the following   phase   separator. The options for the biodieselrich phase are: Return to the reactor, second transesterification stage, methanol recovery (distillation) and biodiesel washing (absorption). The biodiesel-rich phase contains residual amounts of methanol, potassium hydroxide and vegetable oil, in addition to the biodiesel. The remaining vegetable oil is reacted in the second transesterification stage. The methanol is distilled off in the methanol recovery stage. Residual amounts of the catalyst are removed in the biodiesel washing stage. Then the products are stored. The rate of transesterification is dependent on the reaction time and the temperature. The chemical equilibrium is shifted by the separation of the by-products. The biodiesel produced is analysed in the laboratory. The process parameters can be varied to investigate the dependencies. The experimental plant is controlled by a PLC, which is operated by means of a touch panel. Software takes care of data acquisition.

Specifications
1. Chemical transesterification of vegetable oils
Two-stage, continuous process
Two heated stirred tank reactors for chemical transesterification
Two phase separators for separating products and by-products
Methanol recovery (distillation) to reduce the amount of methanol required
Biodiesel washing (absorption) to extract impurities from the biodiesel
Variation of process parameters to investigate the dependencies of biodiesel production
Optional PLC for controlling the experimental plant
Optional touch panel for operating the PLC
Optional software for data acquisition via USB under Windows 7, 8.1, 10
Technical Specifications Tanks
Stirred tank reactors: 2x 5L
Storage tank (vegetable oil): 110L
Storage tank (chemicals): 45L
Product tank: 110L
By-product tank: 45L
Methanol tank: 6L
Phase separator/biodiesel washer: 3x 15L
Peristaltic pumps: max. 25L/h

Measuring ranges
Temperature: 6x 0…100°C Ÿ Pressure: 1x 0…6bar (abs.) Ÿ Flow rate: 11x 0…30L/h
Level
3x 1…22cm Ÿ 2x 1…29cm Experiments:
Production of biodiesel from vegetable oil
influence of dwell time
influence of temperature
Chemical transesterification
Phase separation in the gravity field
Distillation
Liquid-liquid extraction
Approach of a continuous process consisting of several basic operations

Requirements
Mains Power 220 – 240V @ 50Hz, 1Ph & 400 – 440V @ 50Hz, 3Ph