Modelling and simulation of a membrane bioreactor for biodiesel production

Abstract

Through the use of an enzymatic catalyst lipase, produced by Candida Antarctica, a membrane bioreactor was modelled and simulated to obtain biodiesel from palm oil and ethanol. A conversion of 0.97 was reached for a residence time of 10.64 min. The membrane bioreactor was compared to a CSTR reactor, where a conversion of 0.76 was obtained. It was concluded that the membrane bioreactor is a better way of producing biodiesel than the CSTR.