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Riju De (124020012)

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Research title:

Model based control of transesterification of algal lipids for biodiesel production

With the advancement of research studies in the field of biodiesel production from algal lipids, transesterification reactions are gaining much attention towards the production of biodiesel carried out in various kinds of reactors namely batch reactors, CSTRs and packed bed reactors (PBR). However, most of the literature studies have reported the frequent utility of batch reactors for performing transesterification reactions at industrial scale which will lead to improved biodiesel yields. In context to this study, process engineers are challenged with the task of mathematical modelling of these reactors including the kinetic study associated with the transesterification reaction as well to develop the control strategies that are needed in order to have a check over the highly non-linear complexities associated with the batch processes and to account for time varying dynamics involved during the biodiesel production.

Biodiesel is usually obtained via a transesterification reaction between algal oil containing free fatty acids (FFA) or triglycerides and generally methanol in presence of an acidic or alkaline catalyst like sodium methoxide at about 60-70 degrees centigrade. Main factors which are affecting the biodiesel yield are effect of temperature, effect of stirring, methanol to algal oil ratio, weight and concentration of the catalyst etc. We need to ensure the optimal values of these parameters for obtaining better biodiesel yield. Under the present research work, studies will be undergone regarding the control of parameters like temperature of the batch transesterification reactor, concentration of triglycerides in the feed stream under deterministic or might be in stochastic mode. Quality control can be achieved only by focusing on several aspects concerning design and development of control strategies namely optimal control based on maximum principle formulation which includes the optimization objectives such as maximization of the concentration of methyl esters (Biodiesel), minimizing batch reaction time and maximizing the overall profit. Multivariable adaptive control schemes combined with PID tuning based internal model control (IMC) will be adapted to implement the online measurement of the control variables like temperature of the reactor, temperature and flow rate of the coolant in the reactor jacket, concentration of diglycerides and monoglycerides along with the concentration of methanol. A laboratory scale batch type transesterification reactor will be set up and batch reaction experiments will be undergone for the purpose of model validation in comparison with the simulated control parameters obtained from the designed model under investigation.

Advisor: Prof. Sharad Bhartiya and Prof. Yogendra Shastri

Academic background:

B.Tech (chemical engineering) in 2010 from Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata

ME (chemical engineering) in 2012 from Jadavpur University, Kolkata

Research Interest: Chemical process control, model predictive control, optimisation, mathematics