Potential of Pistacia atlantica mutica (Baneh) oil as a biodiesel feedstock using ultrasonic-assisted intensification process

Abstract

The cost associated with raw materials for biodiesel production is the most determinant factor in final biodiesel price and therefore non-edible, easily available, and inexpensive feedstocks are envisaged. Pistacia atlantica mutica (PAM) is oil-rich and abundantly available biomass in Iran’s jungles that can be considered as a promising energy crop for biodiesel production. Its seeds contained 30% of high quality oil. The fatty acid profile of PAM oil is rich in 16–18 carbon chains, close to those of petrol-diesel oil. The effects of ultrasound-assisted process variables on the biodiesel yield from PAM oil were investigated. A rotatable central composite design (RCCD) was used to optimize the operating parameters, i.e. amplitude, molar ratio, and reaction time, affecting the reaction yield. Accordingly, amplitude and pulse had a positive impact on the methyl ester content. Besides, the interaction of molar ratio and time became significant (p = 0.01). The optimum values of 64% for amplitude, 7.1 methanol to oil molar ratio, and 387 s were predicted by the model. The corresponding yield of 92.9% was obtained which is quite close to the experimental value, i.e. 92.3%. The properties of PAM methyl ester met the requirements of the ASTM D6751 biodiesel standard.