We have developed an in-house reactor (25 Ltrs) for biofuel synthesis by waste oil (Transesterification process). After the reaction, during the first wash, to remove we are using hot water but the soap formed during reaction is causing foam. This is causing major hurdle to achieve higher purity in biofuel.
Kindly help us.
Dear friend Vadiraj K T
Thank you for sharing your observations regarding the foaming issue encountered during the biodiesel washing process. It’s an intriguing challenge, and your detailed description provides a valuable starting point for troubleshooting.
As you noted, the formation of soap—likely from the reaction of free fatty acids with the catalyst—appears to be a key contributor to the foaming observed, especially when using hot water. The temperature of the wash water can indeed influence both the solubility of soap and the intensity of foam produced. Exploring alternatives such as lowering the wash water temperature, adjusting the pH, or incorporating anti-foaming agents could help mitigate this effect. Additionally, modifying the washing technique (for example, using gentle agitation or sequential washes with smaller water volumes) may further reduce foam generation.
Reflecting on similar chemical processes, adjusting the pH to favor soap precipitation or employing specific anti-foaming additives has proven effective in managing foam. Rearranging purification steps—such as introducing a pre-wash or dry-wash phase—might also help minimize soap formation and enhance water separation efficiency. Running small-scale test batches could provide valuable insights into how these variables interact in your specific setup, informing adjustments for larger-scale operations.
Based on your current observations, which of these approaches do you feel holds the most promise for your process? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and any results from further experimentation. Please let me know if you’d like to discuss these strategies in more detail or collaborate on testing potential solutions.
Some publications to read/cite:
Chapter Future Direction of Biodiesel in the Next Decade
Article IMPACT OF SUBSTRATE HETEROGENEITY AND PARTICLE SIZE ON METHA...
Article Using Microalgae for Treating Wastewater
Article Ajnavi, S., Shandilya, Kaushik K., Srivastava, P., Aerobic d...
Article PRETREATMENT OF CELLULOSIC BIOMASS FOR BETTER YIELD OF BIOET...
Article Aerobic degradation of Agricultural Residue by Fungal Consortia
Article Hussain, A., Dubey, S.K., Shandilya, Kaushik K., Srivastav, ...
Best regards,
Kaushik
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