Microwave-enhanced Acceleration and Energy-efficiency of Biodiesel Synthesis

마이크로파에 의한 바이오디젤 합성의 가속화와 에너지 효율성

This presentation shows energy-efficiency of microwave-accelerated esterification of free fatty acid with a heterogeneous catalyst by net microwave power measurement. In the reaction condition of 5wt% sulfated zirconia and 1:20 molar ratio of oil to methanol at $60^{\circ}C$ and atmospheric pressure, more than 90% conversion of the esterification was achieved in 20 minutes by microwave heating, while it took about 130 minutes by conventional heating. Electric energy consumption for the microwave heating in this accelerated esterification was only 67% of estimated minimum heat energy demand because of significantly reduced reaction time.