INFLUENCE OF VARIATION MOLAR RATIO METHANOL/OIL AND CATALYST IN AMMONIA CONCENTRATION AND PHOSPHORUS WASHING WATER OBTAINED FROM STEP PURIFICATION OF BIODIESEL

Abstract

Biodiesel is a fuel derived from renewable sources and can be obtained by different processes, but transesterification, which consists of a chemical reaction between vegetable oils or animal fats with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, is the most used. The parameters at 60 ° C and molar ratio of methanol / vegetable oil 6:1, has been defined as a standard condition for the reaction of methyl transesterification. This study aimed to observe the effect of varying the molar ratio between oil and alcohol and catalyst in concentrations of ammonia and phosphorus from the water washing step of the purification of biodiesel using feedstock crude oil from soybeans. After the reaction of formation of the separation of biodiesel and glycerin, the biodiesel produced was washed with distilled water three times to decrease the residual impurities from the transesterification reaction. Parameters were selected: total ammonia, total phosphorus, because they are constituents in the oil. Were also determined pH values. To perform the analysis followed the general guidelines of Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA, 2005). We observed that concentrations of ammonia and phosphorus in the washing water are influenced by varying the molar ratio of oil and alcohol, decreasing the 1st to the 3rd rinse water.

Key Words: biodiesel, transesterification, washing water