Optimizing Process Parameters through Response Surface Methodology for Transesterification Using an Innovative Extruded Catalyst

Abstract

T he increasing recognition of biodiesel as a viable energy alternative is due to its advantageous characteristics, including its renewable nature, reduced toxicity, and friendly to the environment. Recently, one disadvantage has been associated with the use of homogeneous catalysts in biodiesel production. These catalysts tend to be lost during the washing and filtration processes. Therefore, this research focuses on catalyst development and presents the results of optimizing biodiesel yield using extruded catalysts under various conditions through the utilization of response surface methodology (RSM). SEM and XRD techniques were used to investigate the morphological characteristics and crystal structure of the catalyst. Subsequently, the study examined the interactive impacts of principal independent variables and parameters on the dependent variable by RSM employing the central composite design (CCD). The biodiesel was produced through the transesterification process using palm olein oil. Three molar ratios (4:1, 8:1, and 12:1), three catalyst weights (3, 6, and 9%wt), and three reaction times (30, 60, and 90 min) were analyzed. The results show that the maximum biodiesel conversion of 97.3% was obtained at optimum methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst weight, and reaction time of 8:1, 9%wt, and 60 min, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9955 and a significance value (P-value) below 0.05 indicated a relationship between the response and all independent variables. The obtained results confirmed that the variables under consideration exerted a substantial influence on the reaction yields. The results clearly demonstrate the potential of extruded catalysts for transesterification reactions. This study is attractive for possible implementation in large-scale production and can be considered to reduce drawbacks which result from the application of homogeneous catalysts in the traditional procedures.