Most current biodiesel research concentrates on the alkali-catalyzed technology carried out on a bench scale
and no detailed technological information is available on overall continuous industrial processes in which both
reactor and downstream separation units are continuously operated. Information on industrial process simulation
and design is also unavailable. Apart from the transesterification reaction, the actual process of biodiesel
production includes many process steps from raw material refining to product separation and purification.
Evaluating the technological and economic feasibility of a biodiesel plant involves all operating units, not only
one reactor.