EMPLOYMENT OF METAL GRAPHITE ELECTRODES AS A HIGH VOLTAGE FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

The electrolysis cell involved dual metal graphite electrodes were tested in the process of separating glycerol from biodiesel. The electrodes parameters were identified as 8 X150 mm in diameter and length with different spans of 25, 50, and 75mm. A fly-back transformer is used with CRT televisions and computer monitors to produce high voltage. The electrodes are placed in the middle of the vessel height unit with voltage and current intensities of 5.0 kV-21.5mA or 10 kV-12.5mA. The variables under this study were three different high voltages (5.0; 10; 20; 30 kV) and three spans between the graphite electrodes (25; 50; 75 mm) under the constant recommended temperature of 600C. The observed results from the study were a glycerol deposition rate of 2.95 mL per second (220 seconds) when using a distance of 25 mm and a high voltage of 30 kV. Also, by increasing the distance, the effectiveness of the voltage decreased. The glycerol deposition rate decreased by 1.54 mL per second (420 s) and 1.05 mL per second (620 s) at a distance of 50mm and 75 mm, respectively, under a high voltage of 30 kV. Therefore, the best treatment is to use metallic graphite electrodes with a distance between the electrodes of 25 mm and a high voltage of 30 kV.