DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS

Methanol at 45C, potassium methoxide act as the catalyst and free fatty acid are mixtured together and enter into the reactor. The reactor is pre-heated at 60C. Then, the product of reactor which is methanol, potassium methoxide, glycerol and methyl ester are transfer into the distillation column. In distillation column, the product will separate into two. One of them is methanol which is transfer into reflux condenser. While the rest product which is potassium methoxide, glycerol and methyl ester will transfer into boiler. The product of reflux condenser which is methanol will divide into two phase. The first one will return back to the reactor by recycle process. While the rest will return back into the distillation column. The product from the boiler which is potassium methoxide, glycerol and methyl ester will transported by pump into the tubular centrifuge. In tubular centrifuge, the product are divided into two. One of them is methyl ester which is waste product and transfer to washing stages. While the rest product which is potassium methoxide and glycerol are transfer into the mixer. In the mixer, phosphoric acid are added to neutralized the mixture. The product from the mixer which is glycerol was transfer into the hydrocyclone. Finally, the product which is glycerol are produce.