Optimization of Biodiesel Synthesis from Karanja Oil Using Heterogeneous Catalyst by Transesterification Process

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to optimize the effect of variables such as temperature, catalyst concentration, and molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction time and stirring speed on biodiesel synthesis by transesterification process using solid or heterogeneous catalyst. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to optimize the production process of biodiesel from Karanja oil, which is essentially non-edible oil. A large number of experiments were carried out on transesterification of Karanja oil with methanol to produce biodiesel under different reaction conditions and an attempt has been made to analyze the effect of various reaction conditions on biodiesel yield. Maximum yield for the production of methyl esters from Karanja oil was found to be 90% under the condition of temperature of 65 °C, the molar ratio of methanol to oil of 10:1, catalyst concentration of 1 wt%, stirring speed of 600 rpm and a reaction time of 75 min.