Oliveira, P A; Baesso, R M; Nunes, M I; Coutinho, J A P; Costa-Félix, R P B (2026) Ultrasound is a powerful tool for monitoring real-time online transesterification reaction. Fuel, 410. 137861 ISSN 00162361

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Abstract

Biodiesel is an increasingly significant alternative energy source, necessitating efficient monitoring of its production processes to ensure quality and economic viability. Traditional analytical techniques for monitoring the transesterification reaction are often time-consuming, destructive, and unsuitable for real-time applications. This study explores the use of quantitative ultrasound as a real-time, non-destructive, and cost-effective technique for monitoring the biodiesel production using the transesterification of pure castor and soybean oils and their blends. An ultrasonic pulse-echo method at 1 MHz was utilized to monitor biodiesel production from blends of soybean and castor oil at ratios of 80:20, 70:30, 60/40, and 50:50 wt.%. The ultrasonic speed of sound (SoS) was measured and correlated with fatty methyl ester content, viscosity, and density. The results indicated that SoS increased with higher castor oil concentrations and could statistically differentiate between the various blends, unlike viscosity and density measurements. This demonstrates ultrasound's potential as a reliable tool for real-time monitoring of biodiesel production, offering significant advantages over existing methods.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Acoustics > Ultrasound
Divisions:	Medical, Marine & Nuclear
Identification number/DOI:	10.1016/j.fuel.2025.137861
Last Modified:	10 Jun 2026 13:14
URI:	https://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/10434