Using of Microbubbles Generator for Biodiesel Purification

Abstract

This research was related to apply the microbubble generator to purify the crude biodiesel that was synthesized from the chemical reaction which aim to remove some impurities and decrease the biodiesel pH for diesel engine. The study was performed with water spray from 2 positions which was from the top and bottom of biodiesel chamber, the separation of the biodiesel and water was allowed by placing for 10, 20 and 30 mins, the biodiesel were cleaned in several times and the biodiesel pH were detected. It was found that there was no effect of water spray position on biodiesel pH. For the first time cleaning, placing biodiesel for 30 mins caused to decrease the pH significantly. While, more than one time biodiesel cleaning with every placing time has no effect on biodiesel pH. However, biodiesel that was cleaned with water spray for six times were still base. The microbubble generator was applied to produce the microbubble water for biodiesel cleaning using pressure tank to control the microbubble size with the pressure at 0, 2, 4 and 6 Kg/cm2. It was revealed that the biodiesel that was cleaned with 4 Kg/cm2 of pressure treated microbubble water had the lowest pH and was able to neutralize pH after cleaning only two times, whereas the pH of microbubble water after cleaning was the highest. The electric power used for the microbubble generator was similar at all pressure levels.