Abstract
The aim of this research is to develop a highly efficient and reliable biodiesel production process. This will be achieved by developing a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model of a high temperature, high pressure continuous flow reactor. The first step in this project is the synthesis of physical and kinetic data in the CFD software. Having developed the model, it needs to be verified experimentally with a reactor (currently in use by industrial research partner) and then implemented as a tool for optimisation of operating conditions. This will be followed by scale-up of the reactor using the verified model. The final step is to use the model and reactor as an industrial-scale testing ground for recently proposed biodiesel production methods, e.g.: supercritical methanol. These four steps will provide a basis from which to develop an efficient conversion technology needed for a sustainable and robust biodiesel industry.