I react sunflower oil with KOH catalyst methanol, after the reaction I want to separate glycerin and FAME but I don't see it layering together. After many unsuccessful attempts, I used distilled water to separate the glycerin by emulsifying it and adding NaCl as an electrolyte to make the separation with oil easier.
After applying the emulsion layer, I saw very little oil layer on top. I don't know what to do.
One time I left glycerin and FAME overnight to let it layer, but when I tried to separate the top layer, I washed it with distilled water and saw a lot of foam and white glitter.
One time I left it for 2 hours to see if there was any layering, but I couldn't see it, so I used the method mentioned above and found little oil compared to usual, but the emulsion was the majority.
Someone help me, I don't know what to do now.
If you are seeing alot of foams, then you probably reduce yoor KOH, or time of reaction to avoid saponification.
Additionally, if you did not see layering overnight. It could mean that your FAME yield may be very low. So try optimize by changing the value of operat. variables
Hello, the best way is not to use alkaline but acid transesterificaton using Methan sulfuric acid 2%. Sunflower oil contain sunflower wax which will not transesterification and remain as emulsifier.
Regards. Axel Ingendoh inachem Gmb
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