Process optimization design for jatropha-based biodiesel production using response surface methodology

Abstract

Biodiesel of non food vegetal oil origin is gaining attention as a replacement for current fossil fuels as its non-food chain interfering manufacturing processes shall prevent food source competition which is expected to happen with current biodiesel production processes. As a result, non edible Jatropha curcas plant oil is claimed to be a highly potential feedstock for non-food origin biodiesel. CaO-MgO mixed oxide catalyst was employed in transesterification of non-edible J. curcas plant oil in biodiesel production. Response surface methodology (RSM) in conjunction with the central composite design (CCD) was employed to statistically evaluate and optimize the biodiesel production process. It was found that the production of biodiesel achieved an optimum level of 93.55% biodiesel yield at the following reaction conditions: 1) Methanol/oil molar ratio: 38.67, 2) Reaction time: 3.44 h, 3) Catalyst amount: 3.70 wt.%, and 4) Reaction temperature: 115.87 °C. In economic point of view, transesterification of J. curcas plant oil using CaO-MgO mixed oxide catalyst requires less energy which contributed to high production cost in biodiesel production. The incredibly high biodiesel yield of 93.55% was proved to be the synergetic effect of basicity between the active components of CaO-MgO shown in the physicochemical analysis.

Optimization of melon oil methyl ester production using response surface methodology

“…It can be seen that there is high correlation (R = 0.9659) between the predicted and experimental biodiesel yield. The predicted values and experimental values were in reasonable agreement (R value close to unity), which means that the data t well with the model and convincingly good estimate of response for the system in the ranges studied [22]. The "Lack of Fit F-value" of 3.53 implies the Lack of Fit is not signi cant relative to the pure error.…”

“…This is because increases in temperature and catalyst weight above certain points (>0.7%) would lead to increased emulsion formation. From literature, increase in biodiesel yield would occur as temperature increases but with low or intermediate amount of catalyst [22]. Figure 5(a) and Figure 5(b) shows the interactive e ect of methanol/oil ratio and temperature.…”

“…This analysis was further examined using the normal probability plot of the residuals shown in Figure 3. The normal probability plot of the residuals indicates that the errors are distributed normally in a straight line and are insigni cant [22]. The three dimensional response surface and the contour plots are presented in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.…”

Transesterification of Jatropha Curcas Oil to Biodiesel by Using Short Necked Clam (Orbicularia Orbiculata) Shell Derived Catalyst

“…Bhd. Physicochemical properties of jatropha oil was provided in previous study (Lee et al, 2011). The analytical grade methanol used was manufactured by J. Kollin Chemical.…”

The Effects of Camelina “Soheil” as a Novel Biodiesel Fuel on the Performance and Emission Characteristics of Diesel Engine

“…Therefore, the emitted pollutants cause damage to the environment and human health [5]. Vegetable oils are a reliable source for biofuel production [6][7][8][9][10]. The amount of pollutants emitted from biodiesel is significantly lower than fossil fuels [11,12].…”