Good day, everyone.
I am currently doing a material balance of a transesterification section. The MeOH fed is excess. Based on the problem, MeOH is present in CME (biodiesel) in 5% mass weight while it is present in its by-product, glycerine, in 45% by mass weight. I calculated the values by two equations and two unknowns.
By Methanol balance:
0.05(CME) + 0.45(Crude Glycerine) = Amount of Excess Methanol
By OMB
ECNO+MeOH+Catalyst= CME+Crude Glycerine
I am able to calculate the amount CME and Crude Glycerine using these two equations; however, the amount of MeOH calculated is not same as amount of excess Methanol.
Can I ask for everyone's help?
Thank you so much!