Modeling and simulation of microreactor with static and perforated elements for biodiesel synthesis

Abstract

This study compares the performance between micromixers with static elements (MO) and micromixers with perforated elements (MPO) in order to develop microscale mixing mechanisms and to improve the performance of chemical reactions, such as the biodiesel production. A computational study was carried out to analyze the performance of these new micromixers with the mixing of the reagents sunflower oil and ethanol, and also the synthesis of biodiesel from these fluids. The results were expressed in terms of the mixing index (degree of mixing of the reactants) and their conversion into biodiesel. High mixing indexes (~ 0.99) were obtained, mainly for MO. In relation to the chemical reaction, the highest value reached was 97% conversion in a residence time of 180 s.