Lipase catalyzed methanolysis to produce biodiesel: Optimization of the biodiesel production

A lipase from Candida sp., suitable for transesterification of fats and oils to produce fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), was immobilized on a cheap cotton membrane, in this paper. The conversion ratio of salad oil to biodiesel could reach up to 96% with the optimal reaction conditions. Continuous reaction in a fixed bed reactor was also investigated. A three-step transesterification with methanol (methanolysis) of oil was conducted by using a series of nine columns packed with immobilized Candida sp. 99–125 lipase. As substrate of the first reaction step, plant or waste oil was used together with 1/3 molar equivalent of methanol against total fatty acids in the oil. Mixtures of the first- and second-step eluates and 1/3 molar equivalent of methanol were used for the second- and third-reaction steps. A hydrocyclone was used in order to on-line separate the by-product glycerol after every 1/3 molar equivalent of methanol was added. Petroleum ether was used as solvent (3/2, v/v of oil) and the pump was operated with a flow rate of 15 L/h giving an annual throughput of 100 t. The final conversion ratio of the FAME from plant oil and waste oil under the optimal condition was 90% and 92%, respectively. The life of the immobilized lipase was more than 10 days. This new technique has many strongpoints such as low pollution, environmentally friendly, and low energy costs.