| abstract |
A process for the continuous purification of biodiesel (fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE)) is described using an adsorbent The adsorbent is contained in a column system and is regenerated for reuse multiple times The process employs an adsorbent such as, carbon, silica, clay, zeolite or a metal silicate contained in a column to remove the impurities from fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE) or crude biodiesel in a continuous process The crude biodiesel is contacted with an adsorbent packed into one or more columns to remove impurities such as soaps, metals, free glycerin, and sterol glucosides. The resulting finished biodiesel exiting the column(s) is ready for the methanol recovery process Once the adsorbent no longer removes the desired amount of impurities, it is regenerated for reuse The solvent used for the regeneration process is reclaimed and reused by recycling it back to the transesterification reaction. |