Application of response surface methodology for optimization of biodiesel production process parameters

Abstract

The dwindling fossil fuel reserve and environmental damage due to emissions from fossil fuel necessitates the research for green fuel. The aim of this study is to find the optimal production parameters needed for giving a maximum biodiesel yield from two-step transesterification of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed oil using response surface methodology (RSM). The 2^k factorial central composite design RSM was used. The combined effects of temperature, catalyst amount, reaction time and molar ratio of alcohol in relation to biodiesel yield were optimized. Optimum conditions for the production of biodiesel are reaction temperature: 50.38 °C, reaction time: 106.67 minutes, molar ratio: 6.10:1 and catalyst amount: 5.34g with a predicted biodiesel yield of 86.78%. Under these optimized conditions, an actual biodiesel yield of 84.79% was achieved. The study shows that RSM is a reliable tool for optimization of production parameters which makes it suitable for use in production industries.