Response surface methodology (RSM) modeling of microwave-assisted transesterification of coconut oil with K/γ-Al2O3 catalyst using Box-Behnken design method

Abstract

The transesterification process of coconut oil to alkyl esters using microwave assisted method with K/γ-Al2O3as a catalyst. The product which contains above 86.563% of alkyl ester is called the biodiesel fuel. Response surface methodology was performed to optimize the process; Box-Behnken methods were performed by the help Statgraphics Centurion 16 to evaluate the effects of different operating parameters. The results showed that the power of microwave, time reaction, and catalyst concentration have significant effects on yield of alkyl ester. Using Box-Behnken design methods, the operating conditions: time of reaction, the power of microwave and concentration of catalyst in transesterification process were 139.812 second, 799.97 watts and 2.5%w/w, respectively. The largest predicted and experimental yield of alkyl ester under the optimal conditions are 86.563% and 84.3584%, respectively.