(46g) The Use of a Controlled Cavitation Reactor for Bio-Diesel Production

Advanced Biofuel Solutions, Inc. of Rome, GA utilizes an innovative next generation reactor technology based upon "controlled cavitation" called the ShockWave Power Reactor (SPR) for process intensification of the transesterification reaction in biodiesel production. The SPR works by taking a feed stock, methanol and catalyst into the machine housing, where it is passed over the generator's spinning cylinder. The specific geometry of cavities in the cylinder and rotational speed create pressure differences within the liquids where tiny bubbles form and collapse. These collapsing bubbles generate shock waves that are used to heat and mix. These bubbles collapse only inside the cavities and away from the metal surfaces and are therefore not damaging to the equipment, the cavitation is controlled. The shock waves increase the surface area of the compounds being mixed so that a higher mass transfer rate occurs. Because of the process intensification, batch processes can be converted to continuous. Cavitation provides a unique mechanism of mixing not found in standard shear devices. The ShockWave Power? Reactor harnesses cavitation to transesterify vegetable or animal fats in seconds. The process intensity drives the reaction further to completion than with conventional reactors in a fraction of the time. Whether in batch or continuous systems, less reaction time can lead to less saponification or emulsification, allowing you to use a variety of feedstocks with broader range of free fatty acid concentrations than might otherwise be possible.

Commercial Scale Production Data Using the SPR In A Two Stage Reaction System With Poultry Fat