A NEW METHOD OF DEALCOHOLIZATION OF CRUDE BIODIESEL FUEL

In the production of biodiesel fuel from natural oils and fats via tra nsesterification with a surplus of low molecular alcohols biodiesel an d glycerol phases are obtained with alcohol residues. The utilization of the dealcoholized glycerol phase for dealcoholization of crude biod iesel phase is discussed. Theoretical relations for the calculation of the optimum conditions of this operation are derived and their validi ty is experimentally tested on the reaction between rapeseed oil and m ethanol catalyzed by KOH.