Optimization of Biodiesel Synthesis using Heterogeneous Catalyst (SiO2) from Karanja Oil by Taguchi Method

Abstract

Biodiesel is renewable and environmental friendly fuel which has the capable to gain comparable engine performance. In this experimental study, Karanja oil synthesized by using Transesterification process. Transesterification of Karanja oil to biodiesel using SiO2 as a heterogeneous catalyst is studied using five different parameters and levels each. Minitab is used to fix the orthogonal arrays and Taguchi method is used to analyze the interaction effect for the transesterification reaction. The five different parameters responsible for biodiesel yield are molar ratio of methanol to oil, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time and stirring speed. Effect of these parameters has studied on small scale. The biodiesel yield obtained experimentally at optimum conditions are 20% methanol to oil molar ratio, 3% SiO2 catalyst addition, 65ºC reaction temperature, 180 min reaction time and 500 rpm stirring speed is 77%.