Superheated methanol vapor bubble

Figure 5.2. A schematic flow diagram of a bench scale reactor, based on the superheated methanol vapor bubble method.

To further decrease the cost required for production of BDF, Yamazaki et al. proposed a superheated methanol vapor bubble method (2007). 

Reaction with the superheated methanol vapor bubble method can be conducted under atmospheric pressure conditions. Therefore, both initial and running costs for the process can be reduced, and applicability of the superheated methanol vapor bubble method might be high. 

A pilot scale reactor which can produce about 40 L of fatty acid methyl ester in a day by use of superheated methanol vapor bubble method has been constructed (Fig. 5.4). The feasibility of the process will be demonstrated by using the pilot scale reactor. 

Figure 5.2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a reactor based on the supercritical methanol vapor bubble method. In the reactor, superheated methanol vapor is blown into oil continuously, and reacted with triglyceride to form FAME. The formed FAME flows out from the reactor with unreacted methanol vapor and is collected by a condenser. No catalyst is used in this method. 

---