Optimization of degummed Linum usitatissimum methyl ester from methanolysis as a potential resource for diesel engines

Abstract

Studies were carried out on methanolysis of crude and degummed Linum usitatissimum seed oil with methanol for methyl ester synthesis. In this study, we applied response surface methodology in order to optimize the reaction factors for methyl ester synthesis. The present work also studies the experimental conditions such as catalyst concentration, molar ratio (methanol:oil) and reaction time on the conversion of Linum usitatissimum seed oil to methyl esters. The conversion was above 96.2% under the condition of 60 oC, methanol to oil molar ratio of 8:1, reaction time 60 minutes and catalyst amount (catalyst/oil) of 0.6 wt%. The resulting methyl esters (biodiesel) and its diesel blends were characterized for basic fuel properties including density, viscosity, cloud and pour point, flash and fire point, calorific value and acid value. The results show that the enzymatic degummed Linum usitatissimum seed oil used with a phosphorus (phospholipids) level of 9.8 ppm provides an excellent methyl ester yield of over 96.2% and basic fuel properties of its blends were comparable to those of conventional diesel fuel at 20% of methyl esters concentrations.