DEVELOPMENT OF A BIOREFINERY MODEL FOR PRODUCING BIODIESEL FROM MACAUBA OIL

The biodiesel industry's interest in macauba oil has intensified over theyears, as the oil's yield significantly exceeds other oilseed crops, such as soybeans,sunflowers and even castor beans. However, one of the challenges encountered isthe high acidity of the crude oil after extraction from the pulp, making it necessary tore-esterify the free fatty acids before producing biodiesel by homogeneous alkalinetransesterification. The present study uses simulations in the DWSIM software toevaluate the reesterification and transesterification routes, highlighting theimportance of simulation in the development of biorefinery modeling to improve thetechnical and economic efficiency of industrial processes.