Optimization of biodiesel production from Brucea javanica seeds oil as novel non-edible feedstock using response surface methodology

Abstract

Brucea javanica seed oil was exploited as a novel non-edible feedstock for the production of biodiesel in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to optimize transesterification parameters for producing methyl ester from non-edible Brucea javanica seed oil using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design. Based on the results, optimum operating parameters for transesterification of Brucea javanica oil (BJO) were 65°C, 1% catalyst and 6:1 methanol to oil ratio with a yield of 94.34%. The results showed that Brucea javanica methyl esters (BJME) fuel properties such as kinematic viscosity 3.556mm2/s acid value 0.027mg KOH/g, cloud point 2°C, pour point 1°C, flash Point 164°C, cetane index 51min and density 871.3kg/m3 conformed within the range of ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standard specifications except for oxidation stability at 3.0h. However, addition of the antioxidant propyl gallate showed high efficiency in improving the oxidative stability of Brucea javanica biodiesel to 70h.