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Catalyst-free Biodiesel Production at Elevated Temperatures Including Supercritical Conditions: A review

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  056124,  2005 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.19613) @2005
Authors:   Paul S Wang, Jon H Van Gerpen
Keywords:   Biodiesel, supercritical methanol, catalyst free

The supercritical method for biodiesel production is critically examined. Operating conditions such as alcohol type, stoichiometry, temperature, pressure, and the presence of a catalyst and/or co-solvent are examined. The supercritical method is tolerant towards feedstocks containing large amounts of moisture and free fatty acids. High yields of methyl esters are obtained by using high alcohol ratios with high temperatures and pressures. The supercritical method is catalyst free and simplifies the recovery of glycerin as a co-product for biodiesel production. Some questions are posed, as this method is relatively new in the area of biodiesel fuel production.

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