(141a) Conceptual Design Of An Industrial Scale Bio-Diesel-Fuels Production Process Based On Transesterification Of Rbd Palm Oil Using Supercritical Methanol

A transesterification process for biodiesel fuels(BDF) production using supercritical methanol have known having advantages to reduce total cost as a result of elimination of the pre-treatment, washing and drying steps, comparing to conventional alkali/acid-catalyzed process. The purpose of this work is to investigate the economic feasibility of producing BDF from Refined, Bleached and Deodorized (RBD) Palm Oil in the Korea. We have performed a series of experiments of transesterification of RBD palm oil using supercritical methanol in a continuous flow tubular reactor. Estimated costs of producing BDF from RBD palm oil are presented along with a discussion of other factors (FAME selectivity, raw material price, and cost of utilities) that may influence the economic feasibility. Major conclusion from this study indicates that the superciritical process for BDF production in Korea is economically feasible even though there are some side reactions.