In situ transesterification of non-edible oil in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

Abstract

In situ transesterification of Jatropha curcas l. seed with base catalysed alcohol in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) as phase transfer catalyst (PTC) was investigated. The yield of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) increased from 49.7 w% to 89.2 w% in the presence of CTMAB as PTC at 240 minutes of reaction time. Similarly, the yield of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) increased from 84.7 w% to 99.5 w% in the presence of CTMAB as PTC at 150 minutes of reaction time. The quality of biodiesel fuel conforms to the standards of ASTM D6751 and EN-14214.