Banca de DEFESA: KELVIN GAMA GUIMARÃES

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : KELVIN GAMA GUIMARÃES
DATE: 24/06/2025
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: NUPEG I - UFRN
TITLE:

Supercritical interesterification of corn oil in a continuous reactor for biodiesel production.

KEY WORDS:

Biodiesel, Corn oil, Supercritical interesterification, Continuous reactor, Experimental design, Additives, Acetic Acid.

PAGES: 95
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia Química
SUBÁREA: Processos Industriais de Engenharia Química
SPECIALTY: Processos Orgânicos
SUMMARY:

The environmental issues caused by fossil fuels have driven the global production of biofuels such as biodiesel. The interesterification reaction involves the substitution of alcohol with an ester, resulting in a glycerol-free process. Under supercritical conditions, catalysts are not required, which simplifies product purification process. In this research, supercritical interesterification using corn oil and methyl acetate conducted in a continuous-type reactor was studied for biodiesel production. The first part of this study consisted of a proposed Box-Behnken experimental design to evaluate the effects of temperature (325-375 °C), oil-to-acetate molar ratio (1:35-1:45), and residence time (15-45 min) on ester content yield. Pressure was maintained at 200 bar. The highest ester content result was 44.62% obtained at temperature of 350 °C, oil-to-acetate molar ratio of 1:35, and residence time of 45 minutes. Statistical analysis of the results indicated significant effects of the temperature and residence time parameters, with the representative data model being found non-significant yet predictive. In the second part of the study, an aqueous solution of acetic acid (26% w/w) was used as a reaction additive. In this case, the influence of the amount of additive (10-30%), in addition to the temperature (300-375 °C) and residence time (15-45 min) on the production of methyl esters were investigated. It was observed that applying a higher amount of additive presented better results at milder temperatures compared to without additive supercritical interesterification. The best result, 66.26% ester content, was achieved in the reaction with 30% additive added, at a temperature of 325 °C and time of 45 min. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties - including density, kinematic viscosity, oxidative stability, water content, sulfur content, and calorific value - were evaluated, with results found to be close to the quality standards established by the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). Finally, interesterification under supercritical conditions yielded satisfactory results for biodiesel production, and corn oil proved to be a viable alternative feedstock for biofuel generation.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1670497 - HUMBERTO NEVES MAIA DE OLIVEIRA
Interno - 1308273 - EDUARDO LINS DE BARROS NETO
Externo ao Programa - 1213158 - ANDRE ANDERSON COSTA PEREIRA - UFRNExterno à Instituição - RAFFAEL ANDRADE COSTA DE MELO
Externo à Instituição - SAULO HENRIQUE GOMES DE AZEVÊDO - IFRN