Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production

Mesut Yılmaz Karahan; Suleyman Karacan

doi:10.31127/tuje.1779669

Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

In this study, the continuous flow biodiesel production process within a reactive distillation (RD) column filled with a heterogeneous basic CaO catalyst was simulated using Aspen HYSYS software. According to literature, the transesterification reaction involving triglycerides (such as tripalmitin, tristearin, triolein, and trilinolein) follows a first-order forward reaction mechanism. For waste cooking oil (WCO), the activation energy (Ea) and frequency factor (A₀) were identified. Within the Aspen HYSYS simulation software, the General NRTL model was selected as the fluid package to accurately account for the non-ideal phase behavior of the system. The reaction zone, defined between Stages 1 to 10, modeled the base-catalyzed reaction of triglycerides with methanol to produce esters. Following the simulation, optimal process conditions were determined. The simulation aimed to maximize the sum of the conversion rate in the bottom product. As a result, the optimum operating parameters were established as follows: reboiler duty, reflux ratio, total feed rate, and methanol/WCO molar ratio. Overall, the simulation results were found to be highly consistent with existing literature, demonstrating that the model created in Aspen HYSYS effectively represents the biodiesel production process

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ankara University

Project Number

This research was supported by the Scientific Research Project Office of Ankara University (Project Number: FDK20253785)

References

Hariram, V., Godwin John, J., Saravanan, A., Sangeeth Kumar, E., Vinoth Kumar, M., Ramanathan, V., Balachandar, M & Baskar, S. (2025). Optimized Biodiesel Production from Dunaliella Salina, A Unicellular Green Algae through Artificial Neural Network. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 9 (2), 179-188.
Sethuraman, Karthikeyan, Sarangapani Palani et.al, (2024). Investigating CRDI Engine Performance with ZSM-5 Coated Catalytic Converters for Exhaust Emission Reduction. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 9 (3), 471-478.
Senthilkumar, N., & Yuvaperiyasamy, M. (2025). Experimental Investigation and Numerical Modelling of Anaerobic Digestion Process Using De-Oiled Cakes. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 9 (3), 460-470.
Serpil Savcı (2017). Treatment Of Biodiesel Wastewater Using Yellow Mustard Seeds. Turkish Journal of Engineering, Vol. 1, Issue 1, pp. 11-17.
Sharma, Y.C., Singh, B. and Upadhyay, S.N., (2008), “Advancements in development and characterization of biodiesel A review”. Fuel, 87, 2355–2373.
Birla A, Singh B, Upadhyay SN, Sharma YC., (2011). Kinetics studies of synthesis of biodiesel from waste frying oil using a heterogeneous catalyst derived from snail shell.
Vujicic, D.J., Comic, D., Zarubica, A., Micic, R. and Boskovi, G., 2010, “ Kinetics of biodiesel synthesis from sunflower oil over CaO heterogeneous catalyst”, Fuel, 89,2054–2061.
Çağatay M T & Karacan S (2022). Multivariable Generalized Predictive Control of Reactive Distillation Column Process for Biodiesel Production. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 6(1), 40-53

Freedman, B., Buttefield, R.O. and Pryde, E.H. (1986). Transesterification kinetics of soybean oil. J.Am.Oil Chem.Soc., 63 (10), 1375–80.
Kulchanat P., Chokchai M., Chakrit T., (2013). Transesterification of palm oil with methanol in a reactive distillation column. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 70, 21–26.
Kapilakarn, K. and Peugtong, A. A. (2007). Comparison of costs of biodiesel production from transesterication. Int. Energy J., 8, 1–6.
Vogel, A., Mueller-Langer, F. and Kaltschmitt, M. (2008). Analysis and evaluation of technical and economic potentials of BtL-fuels. Chem. Eng. Technol., 31, 755–764.
Talebian-Kiakalaieh A., (2013). A review on novel processes of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. Applied Energy, 104, 683-710.
Wang J, Ge X, Wang Z, Jin Y., (2001). Experimental studies on the catalytic distillation for hydrolysis of methyl acetate. Chem Eng Technol., 24 (2), 155–9.
Hattori, H, Shima, M and Kabashima, H. (2000). Alcoholysis of ester and epoxide catalyzed by solid bases. Stud Surf Sci Catal, 130:3507–12.
Zhang, L., Sheng, B., Xin, Z., Liu, Q. and Sun, S. (2010). Kinetics of transesterification of palm oil and dimethyl carbonate for biodiesel production at the catalysis of heterogeneous base catalyst. Bioresour.Technol., 101, 8144–8150.
Zhang, Y., Dubé, M.A., McLean, D.D. and Kates, M. (2008). Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: 1. Process design and technology assessment. Bioresour. Technol., 99, 1131–1140.
Souza, T.P.C., Stragevitch, L., Knoechelmann, A., Pacheco, J.G.A. and Silva, J.M.F. (2014). Simulation and preliminary economic assessment of a biodiesel plant and comparison with reactive distillation. Fuel Processing Technology, 123, 75–81.
Hsieh, L.S., Kumar, U. and Wu, J.C.S. (2010). Continuous production of biodiesel in a packed-bed reactor using shell–core structural Ca(C3H7O3)2/CaCO3 catalyst. Chemical Engineering Journal, 158, 250–256.
Kouzu, M., Kasuno, T., Tajika, M., Sugimoto, Y., Yamanaka, S. and Hidaka, J.,( 2008), “Calcium oxide as a solid base catalyst for transesterification of soybean oil and its application to biodiesel production”, Fuel, 87, 2798–2806.
Simasatitkul, L., Siricharnsakunchai, P., Patcharavorachot, Y., Assabumrungrat, S. and Arpornwichanop, A. (2011). Reactive distillation for biodiesel production from soybean oil. Korean J. Chem. Eng., 28, 649–655.
Girish N, Niju SP, Begum KM and Anantharaman N (2013) Utilization of a cost effective solid catalyst derived from natural white bivalve clam shell for transesterification of waste frying oil. Fuel, 111, 653–658.
Kaur M and Ali A (2011) Lithium ion impregnated calcium oxide as nano catalyst for the biodiesel production from karanja and jatropha oils. Renewable Energy, 36, 2866-2871.
Kouzu M, Hidaka J, Komichi Y, Nakano H and Yamamoto M (2009) A process to transesterify vegetable oil with methanol in the presence of quick lime bit functioning as solid base catalyst. Fuel, 88, 1983–1990.
Buasri A, Ksapabutr B, Panapoy M and Chaiyut N (2012) Biodiesel production from waste cooking palm oil using calcium oxide supported on activated carbon as catalyst in a fixed bed reactor. Korean J. Chem. Eng., 29 (12), 1708-1712.
Niju S, Begum KM and Anantharaman N (2016) Clam shell catalyst for continuous production of biodiesel. International Journal of Green Energy, 13, 1314–1319.
Kulchanat P., Chokchai M., Chakrit T., (2013). Transesterification of palm oil with methanol in a reactive distillation column. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 70, 21–26.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Petrochemistry

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mesut Yılmaz Karahan ^*
0000-0003-1729-161X
Türkiye

Suleyman Karacan
0000-0001-8113-7874
Türkiye

Publication Date

May 1, 2026

Submission Date

September 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1779669

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA44BX26KC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Karahan, M. Y., & Karacan, S. (2026). Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 10(2), 364-369. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1779669

AMA

1.Karahan MY, Karacan S. Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production. TUJE. 2026;10(2):364-369. doi:10.31127/tuje.1779669

Chicago

Karahan, Mesut Yılmaz, and Suleyman Karacan. 2026. “Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 (2): 364-69. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1779669.

EndNote

Karahan MY, Karacan S (May 1, 2026) Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 2 364–369.

IEEE

[1]M. Y. Karahan and S. Karacan, “Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production”, TUJE, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 364–369, May 2026, doi: 10.31127/tuje.1779669.

ISNAD

Karahan, Mesut Yılmaz - Karacan, Suleyman. “Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10/2 (May 1, 2026): 364-369. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1779669.

JAMA

1.Karahan MY, Karacan S. Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production. TUJE. 2026;10:364–369.

MLA

Karahan, Mesut Yılmaz, and Suleyman Karacan. “Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production”. Turkish Journal of Engineering, vol. 10, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 364-9, doi:10.31127/tuje.1779669.

Vancouver

1.Mesut Yılmaz Karahan, Suleyman Karacan. Simulation of Reactive Distillation Column for Biodiesel Production. TUJE. 2026 May 1;10(2):364-9. doi:10.31127/tuje.1779669