I am currently conducting my thesis on production of biodiesel. I have already conducted analysis on it using GC/MS and it was successful. I used n-hexane as a solvent to extract the lipids from the feedstock (a seaweed (macroalgae)) and then i reacted it with excess methanol. I was then left with 2 layers that were separated by a separating funnel. I am having concerns with regards to how well methanol dissolves the biodiesel and which layer was with biodiesel. As to my knowledge since biodiesel is more polar it will reside in the polar solvent, therefore in the methanol layer. Could someone confirm this or provide me with a paper that may help explain this?
Please refer the following link for more clear explanation on biodiesel production: Chapter Process Modelling and Simulation of Biodiesel Synthesis Reac...
Hi. Yes and to have more details see the following article:
https://chemserver.eng.psu.ac.th/tiche2011/TCHE/data/paper/thai/tfc/oral/tfc005.pdf
Not at all, this is why we have developed a phase transfer avoided process - Co-Sol, in which the reagent and the substrate are in a single phase and the byproduct drops out into a distinct phase
The biodiesel should be at the top layer with the methanol. The bottom layer would be heavier water / glycerol.
Dear Shaun Attard
Methanol is a polar molecule that performs best when dissolved in a polar solvent. However, as a result of the creation of biodiesel, glycerol is generated and sinks to the bottom due to its higher density than FAME. When FAME and Glycerol's polarity is compared, Glycerol is believed to be more polar than FAME. As a result, excess methanol will dissolve in the bottom layer's glycerol. If you are still unsure, it is more accurate to run a GC-MS on both levels.
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