Efficient Synthesis of Biodiesel Fuel through Simultaneous Multiple Reactions Using a Simulated Moving Bed Reactor

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K04829
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 27020:Chemical reaction and process system engineering-related
• Research Institution: Ichinoseki National College of Technology (2020); Okinawa National College of Technology (2018-2019)
• Principal Investigator: Fukumura Takuya 一関工業高等専門学校, その他部局等, 教授 (50360326)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 佐藤 和久 一関工業高等専門学校, その他部局等, 教授 (30215769)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 擬似移動層 / 反応分離 / ソルケータル / グリセリン / バイオディーゼル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The novel efficient synthesis process of biodiesel fuel through the simultaneous transesterification and acetalization using a simulated moving bed reactor was proposed. The raw feed of monoacetin as model glyceride and acetone was fed to the simulated moving bed reactor. Byproduct of transesterification glycerol was effectively converted to solketal with a promising fuel additive through acetalization with acetone and solketal eluted together with a model desired product ethyl acetate. It was concluded that the proposed reaction system has a promising potential to achieve the simultaneous efficient production of biodiesel and glycerol-derived compound, solketal.

Free Research Field

反応工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果により、バイオディーゼルの高効率合成とともに、バイオディーゼル合成時の副生成物であり用途開発が望まれていたグリセリンの有効利用も同時に達成できる可能性が示された。また、グリセリンのアセタール化により生じるソルケタールは燃料添加剤としての可能性もあり、バイオディーゼルとソルケタールを混合状態で得ることができる本研究のプロセスは環境調和型社会の構築に大いに貢献すると考える。