Comparison of RSM Based FFD and CCD Methods for Biodiesel Production Using Microwave Technique

Abstract

This paper deals with the optimization of reaction parameters of production of biodiesel from waste cotton-seed cooking oil (WCCO) via calcium oxide (CaO) catalyzed microwave irradiated transesterification process. The optimization of factors that affects biodiesel yield is done by applying RSM (Response surface methodology). Design-Expert software version 11 was used for optimization purpose. Present study describes the comparison of optimization results of biodiesel yield by applying RSM based Full Factorial Design (FFD) and Central Composite Design (CCD). The effect of methanol to oil ratio (M: O molar ratio) (A), CaO loading (B) and process time (C) on biodiesel yield was studied. It was found that while applying FFD method, the optimized values are 9.6:1, 1.33 (w/w %) and 9.7 min, for A, B and C respectively whereas while applying CCD method, the optimized values are 9.63:1, 1.34 (w/w %) and 9.87 min for A, B and C, respectively. From perturbation plots of FFD and CCD method analyze that the effect of CaO loading is high on the biodiesel yield. The R2 value for FFD and CCD method is 96.28% and 99.83%, respectively. The statistical analysis show that the CCD method was better than FFD method.