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doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7724-8_09-03
On the Fire and Explosion Risks Triggered by Use of Sodium or Potassium Methoxides as Catalysts for the Production of Biodiesel
B. Acheson1, Q. Kwok1, R. Turcotte1, A. Janès2 and G. Marlair2,a
1Canadian Explosives Research Laboratory, Ottawa, Canada
2INERIS, F60550 Verneuil-En-Halatte, France.
aguy.marlair@ineris.fr
ABSTRACT
The paper addresses reaction hazards pertaining to 1G biodiesel manufacturing. Biodiesel basically relies on a chemical process known as the transesterification of triglycerides, the main compounds found in lipidic biosources like vegetable oils, fats and greases, into methyl or ethyl fatty esters (FAE). The paper deals with a French and Canadian joint effort aiming at a better safety characterisation regarding two potential catalysts of this reaction: Na and K methoxides. Preliminary results on this on-going experimental work are presented, focusing on thermal analysis of the chemicals by various techniques, and also more briefly commenting on the explosive atmosphere risk induced by clouds of the products and more conventional fire risk.
Keywords: Sodium methoxide, Potassium methoxide, Thermal stability, Reactivity, Fire, Dust explosion.
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