The main unit operations involved in biodiesel production?

Confusing Question, I assume that that you are referring to the Refining process in the production of Bio-diesel. I have attached a video to help to explain what I am going to write. The Main process is the transesterification of either vegetable oils and/or animal fats, into Bio-Diesel. The Chemical process, of determine the amount of base that is need to neutralise Free Fatty Acids in that batch. (See Video for Demo) Calculate the require amount for the Batch, add abit more as a safety margin. Mix the Batch up, also along with (Methanol or Ethanol), mix the batch at the required temperature range and time. Than you have Bio-diesel, mixed with glycerin, glycerin is lighter than Bio-Diesel, float on-top of it, can be skim off the Bio-Diesel.

what a biodiesel can i eat it? can i poke it?

Refining

biodiesel can be produced from straight vegetable oil, animal oil/fats, tallow and waste oils. There are three basic routes to biodiesel production from oils and fats: Base catalyzed transesterification of the oil. Direct acid catalyzed transesterification of the oil. Conversion of the oil to its fatty acids and then to biodiesel.

Depends on your process : 2 Step Transesterification Process : 1) Filter base oil to remove "chips & bits" (assuming used cooking oil is being used). This step can be ignored if using virgin oil. 2) Heat oil and either boil off any free water or allow it to settle and drain off 3) Add 17% v/v methanol and 1% of 98% Sulphuric acid. Heat to reflux and maintain untill FFA has been esterified - this is an acid catalysed esterification phase which will act on any free fatty acids present in the oil. 4) Neutralise any residual sulphuric acid with an equivalent amount of sodium or potassium hydroxide. 5) Allow product to settle and drain any reaction water and glycerol formed. 6) Add 1% w/v Potassium methoxide and heat to 50 - 60C and hold for 24 hrs with stirring - this is an alkoxide catalysed transesterification step. 7) Allow product to settle and drain any reaction water and glycerol formed. 8) Remove any residual methanol by either distillation or washing. 9) Dry. Recover glycerine by fractional countercurrent distillation from the waste stream for sale as a by-product.

biodiesel can be produced from straight vegetable oil, animal oil/fats, tallow and waste oils. There are three basic routes to biodiesel production from oils and fats: Base catalyzed transesterification of the oil. Direct acid catalyzed transesterification of the oil. Conversion of the oil to its fatty acids and then to biodiese