Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications
Open Access
ISSN: 2090-4541
ISSN: 2090-4541
R C Ehiri and C O Ude
Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria
Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Fundam Renewable Energy App
Biodiesel is a fuel that is produced from biological sources. In this work, optimization, factor interactions and modelling of biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas oil were investigated. The biodiesel was produced via a batch-process basecatalyzed transesterification reaction of the oil with methanol. The process was optimized by the application of 33 (three factors at three levels) central composite design and response surface methodology (CCD-RSM) while keeping reaction temperature constant at 60oC. A second order polynomial regression model of the form Y = 92.30 + 3.84X1 ��? 2.83X2 ��? 3.15 X3 ��? 3.95X1 2 ��? 5.46X2 2 ��? 10.94X3 2 ��? 2.44X1X2 +5.46X1X3 + 1.73X2X3 was obtained to predict the biodiesel yield (Y) as a function of reaction time (X1), NaOH catalyst concentration (X2) and methanol to oil molar ratio (X3). There was no significant interaction between X2 and X3 (p>0.05), whereas significant interactions existed between X1 and X2 on the one hand and X1 and X3 on the other hand (p<0.05). The model can adequately be used for theoretical prediction of biodiesel yield in the range studied (R2 value of 0.9583). Optimal factor levels obtained were reaction time (2.28h), NaOH catalyst concentration (1.62%), methanol: oil ratio (5.92:1) and a maximum biodiesel yield of 94.03%. Catalysis and reaction time were vital factors in the transesterification reaction.
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