*It exists an easy way of making the alcoholisys of veggie oils with up to 7% FFA.
*The BD2 processors (high temperature reaction) can handle it, in one single step.
-If you like, please write me for details: tec@savoiapower.com

http://www.mcneffresearchconsultants.com/technology-mcgyan.asp I believe this sight might help

Our Turbine, RET, can run efficiently on raw FFA heavy fuels. Why convert? Affiliate also has tech to improve biofuel BTU content. RET uses include Solar/ Thermal Powerblock. Sannerwind@gmail.com

yes any free fatty acid can be trasesterified along with the tryglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters. the problem with algal oil is the large amount of olyunsaturated fatty acids with more C=C bonds. these are not hydrgenated during transeteriication and are not desirable in biodiesel. C=C bonds increase the oxidative behaviour of biodiesel which will result in problems. so the challenge is to hydrogenate or break the C=C bonds.

This is not my field of expertise, so in contribution I am including pdf links relevant to the topic.

biodiesel production from Jatropha with high FFA content:

http://www.jatropha-alliance.org/fileadmin/documents/knowledgepool/BerchmansHirata_Biodiesel_production_Jatropha_High_content_free_fatty_acids.pdf

Comparison of transesterification methods for biodiesel production:

http://www.iei.liu.se/envtech/forskning/forskningsprojekt/synergies-biofuels/synergies-inventory-research/biodiesel-synergies-inventory/inventory-of-biodiesel-synergies/1.178558/ComparisonofTransesterificationMethods.pdf

Overall, it seems that a 2-step pretreatment process is ideal for biodiesel production of oils with high free fatty acids. However, I am not sure of associated costs with these extra steps. May be too costly for algae biodiesel production, anyone know?

Admin: Perhaps more review materials could be posted when debating/reviewing technical topics such as transesterification , as well as providing more of a lead into debate. This may make the topic of the week more accessible to FOA and inspire more in-depth discussion.

The purification of glycerol is a very difficult process, proving to be more of an economic disadvantage. Not only that, glycerol may inhibit the rate of the reaction, whereas alkyl esters do not inhibit the reaction.

Being turned into oil to produce more Biofuel

Any free fatty acids (FFAs) in the base oil can be converted to soap or esterified to more biodiesel.