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Ethanolysis of soybean oil into biodiesel: process optimization via central composite design

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Abstract

A process for production of ethyl ester for use as biodiesel has been studied. The sodium hydroxide catalyzed transesterification of soybean oil with ethanol was carried out at different molar ratio of alcohol to oil, reaction temperature and catalyst amount for a constant agitation in two hours of reaction time. Central composite design and response surface methodology were used to determine optimum condition for producing biodiesel. It was found that ethanol to oil ratio and catalyst concentration have a positive influence on ester conversion as well as interaction effects between the three factors considered. An empirical model obtained was able to predict conversion as a function of ethanol to oil molar ratio, reaction temperature and catalyst concentration adequately. Optimum condition for soybean ethyl ester production was found to be moderate ethanol to oil ratio (10.5: l), mild temperature range (70°C) and high catalyst concentrations (l.0%wt), with corresponding ester conversion of 93.0%.

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Abbreviations

C:

Catalyst concentration

Ic :

Coefficient of catalyst concentration effect

IR :

Coefficient of ethanol to oil molar ratio effect

Ir :

Coefficient of temperature effect

ICR :

Coefficient of interaction effect between catalyst concentration and molar ratio

Icr :

Coefficient of interaction effect between catalyst concentration and temperature

IRT :

Coefficient of interaction effect between molar ratio and temperature

IRCT :

Coefficient of interaction effect between molar ratio, catalyst concentration and temperature

R:

Molar ratio of ethanol to vegetable oil

T:

Reaction temperature

Xc :

Coded variable for catalyst concentration

XR :

Coded variable for ethanol to oil molar ratio

XT :

Coded variable for reaction temperature

Y:

Yield or conversion efficiency to ethyl ester

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Nakorn Tippayawong, Eaksit Kongjareon & Wasan Jompakdee

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  1. Nakorn Tippayawong
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  2. Eaksit Kongjareon
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  3. Wasan Jompakdee
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Correspondence to Nakorn Tippayawong.

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Tippayawong, N., Kongjareon, E. & Jompakdee, W. Ethanolysis of soybean oil into biodiesel: process optimization via central composite design. J Mech Sci Technol 19, 1902–1909 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984269

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984269

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