Methods and systems to produce biodiesel fuel

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a biodiesel fuel that comprises mixing a co-solvent, a first reactant and a second reactant together in a mixing chamber to form a homogeneous solution. The first reactant and the second reactant are substantially immiscible with each other in the absence of the co-solvent. The first reactant is one of an alcohol or an oil, and the second reactant is the other of the oil or the alcohol. Method also comprises transferring the homogeneous solution into a transesterification reaction vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a biodiesel fuel, comprising:
 mixing a co-solvent, a first reactant and a second reactant together in a mixing chamber to form a homogeneous solution, wherein said first reactant and said second reactant are substantially immiscible with each other in the absence of said co-solvent; and   transferring said homogeneous solution into a transesterification reaction vessel,   wherein said first reactant is one of an alcohol or an oil, and said second reactant is the other of said oil or said alcohol.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said co-solvent includes a biodiesel fuel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mixing is performed in a static mixer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transesterification reaction is performed at a temperature above a normal boiling point of said alcohol. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including flowing said reactant mixture through a tubular reactor of said reaction vessel at an elevated pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transesterification reaction is performed at a temperature above a normal boiling point of said alcohol and at a pressure of greater than 1 atmosphere. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transesterification reaction is performed at a temperature in a range from about 70 to 150° C. and a pressure in a range from about 2 to 20 atmospheres. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said formed homogenous solution is initially substantially free of glycerol. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said alcohol and said oil are mixed in a molar ratio in a range of about 3:1 to about 9:1. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said alcohol and said oil are mixed in a molar ratio of about 6:1. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said alcohol further includes a catalyst that includes a base. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said base is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said alcohol is methanol.