Biodiesel/NaSicon

Introduction

Owing for its higher selectivity and efficiency
(> 90%) towards transportation of sodium ions, ceramic based NaSiCON membranes are well known for its application of removal of sodium ions from aqueous wastes and also to produce sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite and other sodium based electrolytes. Other possible usages of this membrane are to use as a sodium ion sensor in electrochemical processes.

 

Significance

Currently our research involves the use of NaSiCON ceramic membranes manufactured by Ceramatec Inc. towards application of producing low cost, high purity sodium methoxide (NaOMe). This high pure NaOMe will be then utilized as a nucleophile for the transesterification process to produce monoalkyl methyl esters also known as Biodiesel from vegetable oils or animal fat.