Methods and systems for improved biodiesel production

US8404005B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Brian H. Dennis · Austin, US
• Richard E. Billo · Irving, US
• Christopher Ryan Oliver · Commerce, US
• John W. Priest · Dallas, US
• Edward S. Kolesar, Jr. · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 10, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 26, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 21, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E50/10
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In a method and system to produce biodiesel using an improved catalytic transesterification process, a first reactant and a second reactant are dispersed to form a laminar slug flow pattern within a microchannel of a microreactor, the first reactant and the second reactant being immiscible. The first reactant and the second reactant are mixed, thereby triggering a reaction between them to produce the biodiesel and glycerol, the mixing being convection-enhanced by shear stress induced circulation occurring within each slug of the reactants. The reaction takes place under a pressure that is less than 5 psi and under a temperature that is less than 70 degrees Celsius. Separation of the glycerol from the biodiesel occurs simultaneously with the mixing. Several microreactors are coupled in parallel to improve throughput of the biodiesel.