Dielectric Techniques for the Characterization of Raw Materials and Effluents in Biodiesel Production

SILVIA DANIELA ROMANO; PATRICIO ANIBAL SORICHETTI

Dielectric spectroscopy in biodiesel production and characterization

Springer Verlag

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2010; p. 71 - 82

This chapter discusses the application of dielectric measurements to pure and used vegetable oils of different origins. The electrical properties of the effluents at the different stages of the purification process of biodiesel are also presented. The results of dielectric measurements of treated vegetable oils, compared with pure oils, are useful to determine the efficiency of the different treatment procedures, since they give a clear indication of the presence of water and contaminants. In addition, values of the refractive index of pure vegetable oils at different temperatures are given. The comparison of the electrical properties of the effluents with those of the clear water, are used to provide a quantitative indication of the degree of advance of the washing process, and also to verify its completion.