ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DA OBTENÇÃO DO BIODIESEL A PARTIR DO ETANOL E DO ÓLEO FÚSEL

Abstract

The growing concern for the environment has stimulated the demand for alternative energy sources such as energy from biomass from industrial waste and tailings. The sugar-alcohol industry is a great ally in the generation of bioproducts and energy, being part of 9% of the Brazilian energy matrix. However, it is not sugarcane bagasse, vinasse and straw, the only byproducts that can be used. An abundant residue, but of little use of this type of industry is the fuel oil. Being composed of superior alcohols, which have high calorific value. An alternative to this residue would be biodiesel production. The objective of this work was to perform a comparative study of biodiesel from ethanol and fuel oil, and later a comparison was made between them. Fuel oil, ethanol and soybean oil were used in the alcohol/oil ratios of 9:1, 12:1 and 13:1. To obtain biodiesel, the transesterification process was performed by basic catalysis. Ten samples were prepared, each with different proportions and reactional times. The physicochemical characterizations of the samples were determined, as well as the indexes regulated by the ANP. It was found that some indices, as well as physical-chemical parameters, for some samples, are in accordance with what is established by the ANP. In relation to the object of the study is the comparison between ethyl biodiesel and biodiesel synthesized from fuel oil. It can be concluded that both are good for developing biodiesel, but more study is needed to enable its production and commercialization. Regarding the reaction yield, an average value of 75.3% was obtained, which is below the expected yield for soybean ethanol biod iesel, which is in the range of 95%. After this study it is believed that biodiesel obtained from fuel oil, has a huge potential to be used commercially, and is an abundant product in the sugar and alcohol sector.