Optimization of Biodiesel Production From Caster Seed Oil Through Transesterification process

Energy is the most fundamental requirement for human existence for various purposes. Since fossil fuel was non-renewable energy, it constantly depleted and created environment pollution. Biodiesel can easily produce from edible and non-edible plant, which has less environmental impact than fossil fuel. The objective of the study is to investigate biodiesel production from castor seed by transesterification process. Biodiesel was produced from castor seed oil through by different unit operation and unit process. First the castor seed oil was extracted from castor seed, then the castor seed oil was refined and finally biodiesel was produced from the refined the castor seed oil and methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide. A factorial design was used to optimize the process reaction parameters (temperature, concentration of methanol, molar ratio of methanol to oil and time) using design expert 7.0.0 software. Castor seed oil extracted and biodiesel produced was characterized for their physicochemical properties (density, viscosity, acid value, free fatty acid, saponificatio value, iodine value, cetane number and heating value). The result showed that the minimum yield of biodiesel was obtained 50% at temperature 50°C, molar ratio of methanol to castor oil 9:1, time 75 min and loading catalyst 2.5% weight of the oil whereas the maximum yield of biodiesel was obtained 95% at temperature 50°C, molar ratio of methanol to castor seed oil 9:1, time 105 min and loading catalyst 1.5 %wt of the castor seed oil. The physicochemical biodiesel density at 15°C was 0.89 g/ml, kinematic viscosity at 40°C 5.22 mm2/sec, acid value 1.24 mgKOH/g oil, free fatty acid 0.62 %, saponificatio value 179 mgKOH/g oil, iodine value 97.4 mgI2/100 oil, heating value 40.63 MJ/kg and cetane number 54.877 was obtained. The most physicochemical properties result charactiresed for biodiesel were within the range of the petroleum American society of test and material (ASTM) standard specification. It concluded that the biodiesel produced from ...