(644f) Experimental Study of a Fluidized Bed Reactor for Obtaining Biodiesel from Jatropha curcas Oil By Means of Immobilized Enzymes: Stage 1: Characterization of Lipase

In this research project we propose to study the main hydrodynamic variables of a bioreactor that intervene in the degree of conversion in the transesterification reaction of vegetable oil from Jathropha Curcas L. to produce biodiesel using an immobilized enzyme (lipase) as a biocatalyst. The hydrodynamic parameters to be studied will be: the minimum fluidization velocity, velocity of expansion and porosity of the bed; and the operating variables will be: temperature, oil feed flow, type of biocatalyst, biocatalyst concentration. In addition, the type of immobilization, the physical characteristics of the support and the degree of conversion will be determined. The conversion degree data obtained will be compared against experimental data in a continuously stirred batch reactor.
It will work with vegetable oil of J. Curcas L provided and characterized by the CEPROBI - IPN. In this first stage the results of the characterization of the lipase obtained from the protein fraction of the Jathropha (Circular Dichroism Analysis, AFM, MET, SEM, Confocal, SDS PAGE, peptide trace and RMN H and C) and its comparison with a commercial lipase will be shown. Advances in the tests of immobilization via adsorption and encapsulation in commercial supports will be shown. The one that provides the best results of immobilization of the enzyme will be chosen as support.
The degrees of conversion were determined qualitatively by the formation of ethyl esters (biodiesel) at the end of the process, using gas chromatography coupled to masses.
The planning of experiments will be done by a 2n statistical factorial model with two levels and "n" factors. The response variable will be the degree of conversion.