Biodiesel yield and properties optimization from Kusum oil by RSM

Abstract

Biodiesel proved its existence as a superior alternative fuel for CI engines. But commercialization of biodiesel as a fuel is restricted its demand as compared to diesel fuel due to its cost and desirable quality parameters. To address aforesaid issues, Kusum oil is used to produce superior biodiesel by using base catalysed transesterification. Since Kusum oil is abundantly available, non-edible, economical, underutilized and Indian native feedstock. In present work base catalysed transesterification model is optimized through RSM using MINITAB 17 for Kusum biodiesel production. To get a statistical model, four process input variables (catalyst concentration, molar ratio, reaction time and reaction temperature) and five levels L31 array was generated. Biodiesel yield and main characteristics (density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, calorific value and cold flow filter plugging) have been considered as responses of model. Best conditions for Kusum biodiesel production were molar ratio 7.5:1 (methanol to oil), 0.95 (w/w)% KOH catalyst concentrations with reaction temperature 63.3 °C for 1.54 h reaction time. Optimized results through RSM were biodiesel yield of 98.48%, density 0.88 g/cc, kinematic viscosity 5.15 cSt, calorific value 39.5 MJ/kg, flash point 140.4 °C and cold flow plugging point (−2) °C. RSM predicted results were validated experimentally. All experimental results have a close agreement with predicted values of model with reasonable errors. All properties were compared with biodiesel standard ASTM6751 and found acceptable. Thus, production of high quality Kusum biodiesel with maximum yield is a viable option.