Fundamental Developments of New Manipulation of Biodiesel Fuel Using Dimethylether

  • Dr Kouji Maeda, University of Hyogo, Japan
  • Dr Hidetoshi Kuramochi, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
  • Mr Taisei Fujimoto, University of Hyogo, Japan
  • Dr Yusuke Asakuma, University of Hyogo, Japan
  • Prof Keisuke Fukui, University of Hyogo, Japan
  • Dr Masahiro Osako, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
  • Dr Kazuo Nakamura, Kyoto City Office, Japan
  • Dr Shin-ichi Sakai, Kyoto University, Japan

    • The new transesterification in a homogeneous mixture of triolein and methanol using dimethyether (DME) was examined, and super-fast reaction could be achieved. DME is highly volatile solvent that can be easily recovered after transesterification. The phase equilibrium of methanol + triolein + DME + palmitic acid were measured, and predicted by the thermodynamic model. The yield and purity of biodeisel fuel (BDF) was studied as a function of methanol content in the solution. The reaction rates were measured as functions of concentrations of DME, methanol in the solution. The semi batch transesterification was examined, and considered how DME and methanol contents in the solution work on phase separation and transesterification at the same time.