Biodiesel production by direct conversion of Botryococcus braunii lipids: Reaction kinetics modelling and optimization

For reaction kinetics modelling, the experimental data were fit to a simultaneous esterification and transesterification model. The esterification model was used due to the high free fatty acids (FFA) content and suitably represented the experimental data; however transesterification reaction also took place. Thus, a model considering simultaneous esterification and transesterification on overall FAME production rate was proposed.