Purification of Methyl Acetate/Water Mixtures from Chemical Interesterification of Vegetable Oils by Pervaporation

Biodiesel production through chemical interesterification of triglycerides requires an excess methyl acetate that must be recovered once the reaction is finished and catalyst neutralized. The present study concerns with purification by pervaporation. PERVAP 2201 was chosen as pervaporation membrane due to its high hydrophilic character makes it suitable for elimination water in acetate. Runs were started from concentrations feed 2–8 wt.% working temperatures close boiling point (50, 60, 70 °C), get main design parameters, i.e., permeate flux selectivity. High temperature favored without compromising However, declines significantly when contained below 2 wt.%. This implies should used, only decrease content a value lower than azeotrope (2.3% weight). A solution-diffusion model relating permeating compound activity operating has been proposed. obtained can used stage, thus allowing know different conditions.