Optimization of Process Parameters of Alkali based Clay Catalyst for the Production of Biodiesel

K K Salam ,A O Arinkoola ,O O Oniya ,Ibrahim Adewale ,Ebenezer Olujimi Dada ,T O Salawudeen

doi:10.5829/ijee.2018.09.04.07

Abstract

Utilization of locally sourced materials promote raw materials Biodiesel was produced by transesterification of palm kernel oil (PKO) with ethanol in the presence of non-synthetic heterogeneous catalyst (combination of KOH/metaKaolin). The process parameters investigated are catalyst (1-6 g), ethanol (10-25 wt% ethanol/%wt PKO), reaction temperature (30-120 oC) and reaction time, (60-100 min). These parameters were considered for optimization using Response Surface Methodology with Central Composite Design (CCD) for yield of biodiesel produced. The optimum yield of biodiesel of 96.00% was obtained using the optimized numerical values of 17.50% ethanol (by mass of PKO) and 3.50 g catalyst at 75.00 oC for 80.00 min. The viscosity (4.84 mm2/s), specific gravity (0.86), pour point (+5.00 oC), flash point (178.00 oC), and cloud point (+8.00 oC) of the biodiesel obtained at optimum condition compared favorably with ASTM standards. It was inferred from the research that biodiesel with suitable fuel properties can be produced from PKO using non-synthetic KOH impregnated on Kaolin with ethanol extracted from agricultural based raw materials.

Highlights

Utilization of locally sourced materials promote raw materials Biodiesel was produced by transesterification of palm kernel oil (PKO) with ethanol in the presence of non-synthetic heterogeneous catalyst
One of the shortcomings of using of homogenous based catalyst is selection of the most suitable reaction path that will minimize the production of ester hydrolysis that transformed to Free Fathy Acid (FFA)
Heterogenous catalysts are gaining research attention because it addressed some of the challenges that homogenous based catalysts posed on the production of biodiesel

Summary

Introduction

Utilization of locally sourced materials promote raw materials Biodiesel was produced by transesterification of palm kernel oil (PKO) with ethanol in the presence of non-synthetic heterogeneous catalyst (combination of KOH/meta Kaolin). One of the shortcomings of using of homogenous based catalyst is selection of the most suitable reaction path that will minimize the production of ester hydrolysis that transformed to Free Fathy Acid (FFA) These FFAs can form emulsion of soap through saponification process and separation of these extra products is difficult which tends to increase the production cost of biodiesel. Process parameters such as reaction temperature, reaction time, ethanol to oil ratio and catalyst were manipulated by Center Composite Design (CCD) to optimize biodiesel yield using one variable at a time. This method has been described to be tedious and time consuming [9]. By establishing three-dimensional plot from the experimental data, the overall behavior of the reaction variables can be understood and the interactions between the variables would be more visible [11]

Methods

Results

Conclusion