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Prediction of Fuel Properties of Biodiesel Produced by Sequential Esterification and Transesterification of Used Frying Soybean Oil Using Statistical Analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

The present work envisages developing an efficient method for maximization of biodiesel yield from used frying soybean oil (UFSO) containing high free fatty acid (FFA). Multivariable statistical correlations capable of predicting fuel properties as a function of operating variables have been established. Inter-relations among important fuel properties of the combined-biodiesel have also been presented.

Method

A sequential biodiesel synthesis process comprising of H2SO4 catalyzed esterification of physically pre-treated UFSO followed by NaOH-catalyzed transesterification of unreacted triglyceride was conducted separately to maximize the overall yield of fuel-grade biodiesel. HPLC analysis was conducted for quantification of FAME. Linear least square techniques have been applied to correlate fuel properties as a function of major operating variables and to develop inter-relationship among the fuel properties.

Results

The yield of used frying soybean oil methyl ester (UFSOME) was 94.7 and 97% at the best combination of operating parameters governing the esterification and transesterification steps, i.e. 1, 4 h reaction time; 0.30, 0.20v/v alcohol to oil ratio; 0.75, 1.0 wt% catalyst concentration; 50, 60°C reaction temperature; 600, 400 rpm stirrer speed, respectively.

Conclusion

The esterification step could significantly improve the overall yield of biodiesel from UFSO ensuring effective waste valorization. The developed multivariable regression equations can predict the important fuel properties of the combined-biodiesel as a function of operating variables. Correlations between fuel properties are useful in assessing product quality.

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Abbreviations

A :

Aniline point of combined-biodiesel, (°C)

C :

Catalyst concentration in transesterification (wt% oil)

CP :

Cloud point of combined-biodiesel, (K)

CV :

Calorific value of combined-biodiesel, (MJ/kg)

D :

Density of combined-biodiesel (Kg/m3) at 300 K

E tb :

Ester content of transesterified-biodiesel

F :

Flash point of combined-biodiesel (K)

r :

Ratio of alcohol to oil in transesterification (v/v)

S :

Stirrer speed in transesterification (rpm)

t :

Reaction time in transesterification (h)

T :

Reaction temperature in transesterification (°C)

V :

Viscosity of combined-biodiesel, (mm2/s) at 300 K

W 0 :

Weight % of FFA in physically pre-treated UFSO

W 1 :

Weight % of FFA in unreacted triglyceride layer (feed to transesterification reaction)

W 2 :

Weight of unreacted triglyceride layer (g)

W 3 :

Weight of transesterified-biodiesel (g)

Y E :

Yield of biodiesel (FAME) in esterification (%)

Y T :

Yield of transesterified-biodiesel (%)

a0,a1, a2, a3, a4, a5:

Constant coefficients of Eq. 5

α, β, χ, δ, ε, φ:

Constant coefficients of Eq. 6

\( \phi \), γ, η, ι, κ, λ:

Constant coefficients of Eq. 7

μ, ν, o, π, \( \varpi \), θ:

Constant coefficients of Eq. 8

ϑ, ρ, σ, ζ, τ, υ:

Constant coefficients of Eq. 9

B, K, Ω, Θ, Ψ, Z:

Constant coefficients of Eq. 10

p o , p1, p2, p3, p4, p5:

Constant coefficients of Eq. 11

q o , q1, q2, q3, q4, q5:

Constant coefficients of Eq. 12

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India

    Rajat Chakraborty & A. Banerjee

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  1. Rajat Chakraborty
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  2. A. Banerjee
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Correspondence to Rajat Chakraborty.

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Chakraborty, R., Banerjee, A. Prediction of Fuel Properties of Biodiesel Produced by Sequential Esterification and Transesterification of Used Frying Soybean Oil Using Statistical Analysis. Waste Biomass Valor 1, 201–208 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-010-9016-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-010-9016-8

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