Multi-objective optimisation of Mahua oil transesterification using response surface methodology and grey relational analysis

Abstract

A mathematical model for the transesterification of Mahua oil was developed at five different process parametres such as catalyst concentration, methanol to oil ratio, reaction time, stirrer speed and extraction temperature. A three-level-five factorial Box-behnken-response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to design the experiment. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of experimental results at 95% confidence level showed that catalyst concentration and methanol to oil ratio were significant process parametres in the transesterification process and the predicted values were quite close to the experimental values, thus, validating the credibility of the model. The grey relational analysis (GRA) was employed to optimise the process parametres for minimising the viscosity of transesterified Mahua oil and maximising the yield of Mahua oil biodiesel.