APROVEITAMENTO DE BIODIESEL RESIDUAL A PARTIR DA GLICERINA BRUTA ORIUNDA DA PRODU O COMERCIAL DE BIODIESEL

The purpose of this work was the removal of byproducts such as free fatty acids and glycerides presentin the crude glycerol. The free fatty acids and the glycerides were separated chemically by hydrolysis withphosphoric acid and mechanically with a separatory funnel. The products separated from the crude glycerinwere esterified with an alcoholic solution of dimethyl sulfate and subsequently transesterified with a alcoholicsolution of potassium hydroxide to obtain the biodiesel (monoalkyl ester). The biodiesel was purified withMontmorilonite clay. It was analyzed by the acid value test and by solubility in methanol. The volume percent ofbiodiesel varied between 60% and 80% of the original crude glycerol. Finally the biodiesel (4 liters) was testedas a fuel in a pickup truck.