Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering

Biodiesel has been proven to be the best reliable alternative for petroleum diesel. This thesis aimed to study the production of this green fuel using two industrial, competitive techniques; base-catalyzed and supercritical methanol transesterification. The results showed an optimization for both techniques. The optimization was carried out using pareto chart, contour plot methodology, and surface plot methodology. A simplified linear regression analysis was performed to correlate the biodiesel yield with the process parameters. HYSYS model was simulated using the optimal process conditions to figure out the optimum reactor dimensions required at these conditions. A detailed comparison between the two processes was discussed including the CO2 emissions for the two processes, the energy required for both, as well as, energy integration to minimize the energy supplied as possible. Finally, heat exchanger network was developed to accomplish the energy minimization target proposed

Issued also as CD