A continuous alkali-catalyzed process flowsheet using virgin oil was developed (Fig. 2). The reaction was
carried out with a 6:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil, 1% sodium hydroxide (based on oil), 60 C and 400 kPa.
Fresh methanol (stream 101 at 117 kg/h), recycled methanol (stream 1201 at 111 kg/h) and anhydrous sodium
hydroxide (stream 103 at 10 kg/h) were mixed prior to being pumped into reactor R-101 by pump P-
101. Virgin vegetable oil (stream 105) was heated in exchanger E-101 before entering R-101. In R-101, 95%
of oil was assumed to be converted to FAME, producing glycerol as a by-product. Stream 106 from the reactor
was introduced to methanol distillation T-201.