---

Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic fuel produced with chemical reaction (Transesterification of oils), When homogeneous catalysts are used, biodiesel is primarily produced in batch reactors in which the required energy is provided by heating accompanied by mechanical mixing. Alternatively, ultrasonic processing could be an effective way to attain required mixing while providing the necessary activation energy in a very short period of time. Homogeneous acid or base catalysts dissolve fully in the glycerol layer and partially in the fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) layer during the triglyceride transesterification process. Heterogeneous (solid) catalysts, on the other hand, can prevent catalyst contamination making product separation much easier.

---

Alok is a Proposal Engineer at WL Port-Land Systems, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, involved in engineering and construction (grain elevator, biofuels, material storage/ handling projects) since 2008.

---