Process of Transesterification
Transesterification is a chemical reaction used for the conversion of vegetable oil to biodiesel. In this process vegetable oil is chemically reacted with an alcohol like methanol or ethanol in presence of a catalyst like lye. After the chemical reaction, various components of vegetable oil break down to form new compounds.
The triglycerides are converted into alkyl esters, which is the chemical name of biodiesel. If methanol is used in the chemical reaction, methyl esters are formed, but if ethanol is used, then ethyl esters are formed. Both these compounds are biodiesel fuels with different chemical combinations. In the chemical reaction alcohol replaces glycerin.
Glycerin that has been separated during the transesterification process is released as a byproduct of the chemical reaction. Glycerin will either sink to the bottom of the reaction vessel or come to the surface depending on its phase. It can be easily separated by centrifuges, and this entire process is known as transesterification.