RSM modelling and optimization for performance evaluation of biodiesel production process from livistona jenkinsiana using NaOH as a catalyst

Abstract

The production of biodiesel from conventional vegetable oils is limited by the high cost and competition with food supply. Therefore, there is a need to explore new and underutilized feedstocks that can provide abundant and low-cost oil for biodiesel production. Livistona jenkinsiana is a palm species that grows in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. It produces oil-rich fruits that are usually discarded as waste. In this work, biodiesel was produced from Livistona jenkinsiana through transesterification reaction, and the parametric analysis was carried out. The process parameters such as reaction temperature, molar ratio, reaction time, and catalyst amount were studied, and yield (Y) was modelled using response surface methodology (RSM) as a modelling tool in MINITAB@17.1.0 software. A second-order RSM model for biodiesel yield was developed as a function of temperature, catalyst, and the molar ratio, which could predict the biodiesel yield. ANOVA results showed that temperature, catalyst, and molar ratio played an important role in the transesterification process. The optimization result showed that the optimal conditions were attained at a temperature of 61.78 °C, methanol to oil molar ratio 9.25:1, and catalyst concentration of 0.86 wt. %. The highest biodiesel yield predicted was 94.47%. The reaction was carried out at a constant reaction speed of 500 rpm for 1.5 h of reaction time. The physicochemical properties of the produced biodiesel indicate that the biodiesel from Livistona jenkinsiana oil (LJO) is ideal for the production of biodiesel.