1. INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Biodiesel was synthesized under catalyst-free supercritical methanol reactions using a variety of oils at 250 to 325 o C in a 1- liter high-pressure batch reactor. Multiple experiments were performed at 6 to 80 molar ratios of methanol to oil; product samples were then analyzed by titration, and a Gas Chromatograph which monitored conversion of triglyceride by measuring total glycerine. At 300 o C and 27 molar ratios, 97% conversion was attained. Following the experiment samples were placed in separatory funnel and the crude biodiesel layer was treated further to remove free glycerine by centrifugation and also with an Amberlite BD10dry which was more effective. Soybean Oil transesterifcation Results Transesterification reaction at high temperature, pressure and variable molar ratio resulted to two distinct phase after separation. At 27 Molar ratio, 325 o C and 5500 psi, conversion dropped to 73% Amberlite BD10dry was more effective in reducing free glycerine compared to centrifugation Esterifation results at high temperature and pressure Oleic acid esterification conversion rates decreased (91 to 83%) from 300 to 350 o C, due to accumulation of reaction water. Direct esterification at 300 o C and 8 Molar ratio, on oleic acid, restaurant grease, crude corn oil resulted into methyl esters at varying conversion rates. Two layers separated with the top consisting of water, methanol and about & 5 wt% crude biodiesel, whereas the bottom layer was about 90% methyl esters methanol and water. There was no effect on conversion rates when adding a modifier and/or pumping methanol at 300 o C compared to simultaneously adding oil and methanol at 25 o C ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Iowa Energy Center and DOE Fund: DE-FG36-06GO86014 Catalyst-free biodiesel reactions and post treatment using commercial polymeric resins Sipho C. Ndlela, Norman K. Olson Iowa Energy Center, Iowa State University, BECON Facility, 1521 West F Avenue, Nevada, IA 50201, USA MATERIALS & METHODS Materials: RBD Soybean oil Oleic Acid (100% FFA) Crude corn oil (16% FFA) Restaurant grease (10% FFA) Methanol Reactor conditions: 1 Liter Batch reactor, 200 to 350 o C Molar ratios of methanol to oil: 6 to 80 (Molar ratio) Analysis: Titration using 0.1 N KOH (FFA analysis) ASTM D 6584 biodiesel GC method Post treatment methods: Amberlite BD10 DRY (10% and 25%) HERMLE Z200 A centrifuge 6000 RPM, 15 minutes Fig. 2 Crude soy biodiesel sample taken after reaction at 300 o C, 8000 psi, 6 Molar ratio High Pressure Batch Reactor system Fig.1 Image from left to right: RBD soybean oil, crude corn oil, restaurant grease Fig.3 Soy biodiesel conversion rates at 300 o C and increasing molar ratio, analyzed using a Varian CP 3800 GC-FID Fig.5 Crude biodiesel post treatment using a HERMLE Z200 A centrifuge and Amberlite BD10 DRY Fig.4 Soy biodiesel transesterification: Temperature effect at 27 Molar ratio, analyzed using a Varian CP 3800 GC-FID Fig.6 Oleic Acid esterification at 8 Molar ratio Fig.7 Reaction water during oleic acid esterification reaction Fig.5 Effect of adding a modifier: A: Methanol added at 25 o C, B: Methanol added at 300 o C, C: Methanol and CO 2 added at 300 o C. Two phases separated: Top layer: Mostly methanol, 7 wt% methyl esters and glycerine Bottom layer: About 90 % Crude biodiesel, glycerine, methanol