Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: DENNIS ALEIXANDRE DANTAS

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : DENNIS ALEIXANDRE DANTAS
DATE: 27/04/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: online
TITLE:

PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM CORN OIL BY SUPERCRITICAL INTERESTERIFICATION IN A CONTINUOUS REACTOR: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION AND OPERATIONAL PROCESS MODELING.

KEY WORDS:

Biodiesel. Corn oil. Supercritical interesterification. Methyl acetate. Continuous reactor. Acetic acid.

PAGES: 36
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia Química
SUBÁREA: Processos Industriais de Engenharia Química
SPECIALTY: Processos Orgânicos
SUMMARY:

The global energy transition and the need for decarbonization in the transportation sector have driven the search for more efficient renewable matrices. Biodiesel has consolidated itself as a strategic energy vector; however, national production is characterized by a high dependence on soybean oil. Corn oil, particularly from ethanol biorefineries, emerges as a promising alternative. Traditionally, biodiesel is obtained through alkaline transesterification, which has the inherent disadvantage of generating large volumes of glycerol as a byproduct. Interesterification using methyl acetate stands out as an alternative route capable of eliminating glycerol formation, generating triacetin instead—a high-value additive that remains miscible with the biofuel and improves its properties. Given the kinetic limitations of this route under conventional conditions, supercritical technology presents itself as a viable solution by offering a non-catalytic process with high mass transfer rates. This project aims to investigate the production of biodiesel and triacetin from corn oil via supercritical interesterification in a continuous reactor. The research will employ a 2³ factorial experimental design to evaluate the influence of temperature (325°C to 375 °C), pressure (150 to 210 bar), and reaction time (15 to 45 min). Additionally, the intensification of the process through the addition of acetic acid will be evaluated, and comparative tests with soybean oil and ethyl acetate will be conducted under the optimal condition. The obtained biofuel will undergo physicochemical characterization in accordance with the specifications of ANP Resolution No. 920/2023.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1670497 - HUMBERTO NEVES MAIA DE OLIVEIRA
Interno - 1308273 - EDUARDO LINS DE BARROS NETO
Externo ao Programa - 1213158 - ANDRE ANDERSON COSTA PEREIRA - UFRN