Biodiesel and Biolubricant Production from Waste Cooking Oil: Transesterification Reactor Modelling

The role of green technologies is becoming important due to multiple factors, from geopolitical aspects to green policies that support the implementation of these processes. Specifically, biodiesel and biolubricants can play a strategic role in this context, as they can be produced, under specific conditions (through double transesterification), in biorefineries on an industrial scale. In this sense, the design of industrial facilities is essential to assess the industrial implementation of these processes. The aim of this work was to produce biodiesel and biolubricant from waste cooking oil through double transesterification with methanol and trimethylolpropane, respectively. The main characteristics of the products, following the UNE-EN 14214 standard, were measured, including a kinetic study (with temperature ranges from 80 to 140 °C, catalyst concentration from 0.3 to 0.9% w/w and working pressure from 210 to 760 mmHg) to establish the main kinetic parameters, obtaining a second-order reaction and an activation energy of 17.8 kJ·mol-1. Finally, a conceptual design was carried out, including the main components of the facility, such as tanks, pump system, reactors, vacuum and oil purification systems, among others. As a result, the projected plant would work in a discontinuous regime, producing 2 m3 per day.