Biodiesel Conversion Research Articles

Use of Mg-Al/hydrotalcite Catalyst in Biodiesel Production from Avocado Seed Oils: A Preliminary Study

Biodiesel production of avocado seed oils has been carried out using the heterogeneous catalyst of Mg-Al/hydrotalcite. Transesterification process was conducted by varying temperature reaction and oil-methanol molar ratio. The reaction temperature was 30, 40, 50, and 60°C, whereas the oil-methanol molar ratio was 1:3, 1:6, 1:9, and 1:12, respectively. As-synthesized Mg-Al/hydrotalcite catalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction and FTIR. Meanwhile, the biodiesel was analyzed their density, viscosity, water content and 1H-NMR analysis. The results showed that optimum condition in biodiesel production was oil-methanol molar ratio of 1:6 at a reaction temperature of 60°C for 60 minutes and catalyst quantity of 2% yielding biodiesel conversion percentage was approximately 15.90%. However, this preliminary findings showed that Mg-Al/hydrotalcite was able to convert the avocado seed oils into biodiesel even if still need further analysis and research so that produces a higher percentage of biodiesel conversion.

Application of Reactive Distillation for Biodiesel Production Enhancement: An alkyl process

This article presents a reactive distillation simulation model of biodiesel production from the feed of 1,000 kg/h Jatropha oil. Starting with the verification of the conventional process at the purification sections and improve transesterification calculation, the model gives a realistic solution. GaussViewW and GAUSSIAN 03W are used to generate the molecular structure for other key compositions including triglyceride, diglyceride, and monoglyceride of oleic and linoleic acid which are major components of Jatropha oil. The biodiesel conversion 1.14 % and energy 1.36 %; requirement by the reactive distillation process are higher than the conventional process which the conversion of conventional process and reactive distillation are 98.2 and 99.8 respectively. However, reactive distillation can almost consume the reactant completely. While there are some triolein and diolein in biodiesel from the conventional process, these residues impact on the quality of biodiesel. The recycling system can also reduce fresh methanol by about 81%. The optimum conditions of reactive distillation are 2 stages of the reaction zone, no rectifying section, no stripping section, 5 reflux ratio, and 1 atm. The controllability of the process is studied by varying the feed oil ± 2%. The control structure of the process can handle these disturbances and keep the product at the desired specification.

Investigations of DI CI engine using algal particles contained coconut biodiesel

Day to day increasing vehicles usage for human activities is caused to accumulate greenhouse emissions into the environment. The biodiesel is a best alternative fuel to run diesel engines. But its lower Calorific value and higher NOx emissions makes the consumer should compromise with engine performance and emission characteristics. As we know, that the use of additives to improve engine Combustion and emissions are caused to increase the fuel cost due to the higher cost of additives. The biodiesel conversion process of third generation biodiesel is costlier and required technological advancements for qualitative fuel. In the present work, the author used mixed culture micro algal particles in Coconut biodiesel (CCNME+AP) to improve engine characteristics. The Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) was enhanced, and the NOx emissions were less due to the absorption of heat in the Combustion chamber, it led to cool combustion phenomena with the Algal particles contained Coconut Biodiesel (CCNME+AP).

Activation of Coconut Shell - Randu Wood Biochar and Its Use as Heterogeneous Catalyst Support for Biodiesel Production

In the last decade, biodiesel has been considered as one of attractive biofuels in function of replacing fossil-based diesel fuel and concerning on reduction of greenhouse gas release. For biodiesel production, the use of heterogeneous catalyst is a challenge to minimize problems related to the use of homogeneous catalyst. One of potential heterogeneous catalyst is activated carbon-based catalyst. This study investigated the effect of activating agents (hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid), its concentration (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 N) and activation time (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 h) on iodine number of activated biochar (from coconut shell and Randu wood). The results showed that the highest iodine number (749.14 mg/g) was obtained from coconut shell biochar activated by sulfuric acid at concentration of 2 N and activation time of 6 h. Moreover, BET analysis of the best activated biochar resulted 30.88 m2/gcat of surface area, 3.26 x 10−2 cm3/g of total pore volume and 2.11 nm of average pore radius. The performance test of this potassium-impregnated activated biochar in batch transesterification reaction (palm oil-methanol) presented 29.44 % of biodiesel conversion.

Biodiesel production by lipases co-immobilized on the functionalized activated carbon

Enzymatic conversion of biodiesel was performed by using co-immobilized lipases. The surface modification of activated carbon (AC) was carried out to improve the stability and reusability of enzyme support. The surface modified AC (ACO: Activated carbon oxide) clearly showed porous and rugged surfaces by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Subsequently, the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were carried out to evaluate the generation of functional groups. The highest activity of immobilized lipase was about 10,360 U/g matrix under pretreatment with co-immobilization method. The activity was maintained about 80% after 20 times of reuse in the batch system. The immobilized lipases were applied to the biodiesel production from different sources of oils such as soybean oil, waste cooking oil and algal oil. The maximum biodiesel conversions from soybean oil, waste cooking oil, and algal oil were found to be 98.5%, 95.7%, and 93.8%, respectively, within 4 h.

Synthesis of carbonaceous solid acid magnetic catalyst from empty fruit bunch for esterification of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD)

A biomass-based magnetic catalyst was synthesised by way of a chemical activation-doping-sulphonation process using empty fruit bunch (EFB) char as a precursor for conversion of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) to biodiesel. The magnetic heterogeneous acid catalyst AC-Fe(x)-SO3Cl, with x = 2, 5, 10 and 15 (%) was prepared, to synthesise the optimised magnetic catalyst. The optimised magnetic catalyst was identified by applying TPD-NH3, BET, XRD, XPS, VSM, TGA and FESEM. The prepared magnetic catalyst had a higher surface area (20.42 m2/g), high acidity (29,520 μmol/g), and high magnetic properties (HC = 344.14G). The esterification activity of the AC-Fe(10)-SO3Cl catalyst showed high free fatty acid conversion (98.6%) with optimal reaction conditions of 4 wt% catalyst, 3 h reaction time, 16:1 methanol/PFAD ratio and 100 °C reaction temperature. In addition, AC-Fe(10)-SO3Cl showed the capability of maintaining esterification activity for six continuous cycles with no further treatment and gave a ∼79% biodiesel conversion. The produced catalysts showed characteristics such as high durability during esterification, with metal leaching containing low activity after several cycles. The EFB waste-based acidic magnetic catalysts are potentially efficient, economical, and eco-friendly for the esterification of waste oils and fats for biodiesel production.

Combined biofuel production from cotton stalk and seed with a biorefinery approach

Due to usage of fossil fuels, the depletion of world crude oil reserves and increased deteriorating climate conditions have reached a high level. These circumstances have led researches to search for alternative and efficient fuels. The main biofuels considered are bioethanol and biodiesel. In this study, ethanol and biodiesel production from cotton stalk and seed were aimed using liquid hot water (LHW) along with consecutive processes, where separate saccharification and fermentation (SHF) process was carried out. The maximum ethanol concentrations of 0.348 g/L and 0.721 g/L were achieved at 24 h and 72 h, respectively. For biodiesel conversion, cottonseed oil was subjected to transesterification, where the main interest was to utilize the by-product, glycerol. Three different glycerol concentrations were investigated in terms of ethanol fermentation using Escherichia coli K1 active culture. The maximum ethanol concentration of 0.415 g/L was achieved at 20 mL glycerol concentration for 48 h. Overall, cotton stalk and seed have the potential to be utilized on an industrial scale.

Process optimization of Calophyllum inophyllum-waste cooking oil mixture for biodiesel production using Donax deltoides shells as heterogeneous catalyst

In the present work, the waste material Donax deltoides shells (DDS) was utilized as a heterogeneous base catalyst for biodiesel production from Calophyllum inophyllum oil (CIO)-waste cooking oil (WCO) mixture. Non-edible CIO possessing 65 mg of KOH g− 1 of acid value was mixed with WCO of low acid value in different proportions. The acid value was reduced to 33.3 mg of KOH g− 1 of oil by using a volumetric ratio of 1:1 and it was further reduced to 5.6 mg of KOH g− 1 of oil by acid catalyzed esterification process and used for biodiesel production. DDS was converted into active CaO catalyst by calcination and the catalyst characterization was performed using different instrumental techniques. The impact of calcined DDS (catalyst) concentration, reaction time and methanol to esterified oil volumetric ratio on biodiesel conversion was investigated to optimize the transesterification reaction using response surface methodology based central composite design. The biodiesel conversion was determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a maximum biodiesel conversion of 96.5% was achieved with catalyst concentration of 7.5 wt%, methanol to oil volumetric ratio of 63.8%, reaction time of 129.3 min, stirrer speed of 450 rpm and reaction temperature of 65 °C.

Efficient production of biodiesel from Cannabis sativa oil using intensified transesterification (hydrodynamic cavitation) method

ABSTRACT In order to commercialize and maximize biodiesel production, there is an evident need to search contemporary and evidently efficient technique for its mass production, which lowers the reaction time and manufacturing cost as well as save the energy. This paper is basically an investigation of a brand new method for successful conversion of biodiesel derived through alkali-catalyzed transesterification of Cannabis sativa L. oil using a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor. The subsequent effects of the oil to methanol molar ratio (3:1–7:1), catalyst concentration (0.5–1.25 wt.%), and reaction temperature (50°C–65°C) have been studied by utilizing an optimized plate with seven holes of 3 mm diameter in a 10 L of hydrodynamic cavitation reactor. Optimal conversion of 97.5% was thoroughly achieved within 20 min in a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor with 6:1 molar ratio of oil to methanol, 1 wt. % of catalyst, 60°C of reaction temperature and 3 bar of upstream operating pressure. Further observations indicated a significant reduction in the optimum reaction time for transesterification from 90 min for mechanical stirring approach to 20 min for the hydrodynamic cavitation approach.

Biodiesel production using layered double hidroxides and derived mixed oxides: The role of the synthesis conditions and the catalysts properties on biodiesel conversion

The present study evaluated biodiesel production using Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) and derived mixed oxides as heterogeneous catalysts to analyse the relation between the physicochemical and textural properties of these materials with biodiesel yield. Experimental planning was conducted to evaluate the effect of different Mg/Al molar ratios, precipitating agents (Na2CO3 or NH3) and calcination effect on methyl ester yield. Materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2-BET method, fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), point of zero charge (pHPZC) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Biodiesel synthesis was further optimized through experimental planning considering the catalyst concentration and methanol:oil molar ratio at 4 periods of time as variables, using the material which exhibited the best performance. The material with best catalytic activity was a derived mixed oxide (calcined at 450 °C) with a Mg/Al ratio of x = 0.59, using Na2CO3 as precipitating agent. The optimized parameters for the chemical reaction were: 23:1 methanol:oil molar ratio, 3.5 wt% catalyst at 65 °C for 1 h, resulting in a maximum ester conversion of 98.59 wt%.

Efficient Biodiesel Conversion from Microalgae Oil of Schizochytrium sp.

Abstract: Microalgae oil has been regarded as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. However, microalgae oil usually contains some non-lipid components, such as pigments. Microalgae oil could be converted to biodiesel effectively with a two-step process to decrease the negative effect caused by by-product glycerol generated in traditional biodiesel production process. Firstly, microalgae oil was hydrolysed to free fatty acids (FFAs) and then FFAs were converted to methyl ester. In this study, the hydrolysis of microalgae oil from Schizochytrium sp. was systematically investigated and microalgae oil could be hydrolysed effectively to FFAs at both non-catalytic and acid-catalytic conditions. The hydrolysis degree of 97.5% was obtained under non-catalytic conditions of 220 °C and a water to oil ratio of 10:1 (w:w). The hydrolysis degree of 97.1% was obtained with the optimized sulphuric acid catalytic conditions of 95 °C, and a ratio of water to oil 3:1. The lipase Novozym435-mediated esterification with the hydrolysed FFAs was explored and a FAME (Fatty Acids Methyl Ester) yield of 95.1% was achieved. The conversion of different FFAs also was compared and the results indicated that lipase Novozym435-mediated methanolysis was effective for the preparation of biodiesel as well as poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Direct enzymatic ethanolysis of potential Nannochloropsis biomass for co-production of sustainable biodiesel and nutraceutical eicosapentaenoic acid

BackgroundMarine microalga Nannochloropsis is a promising source for the production of renewable and sustainable biodiesel in replacement of depleting petroleum. Other than biodiesel, Nannochloropsis is a green and potential resource for the commercial production of nutraceutical eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5). In recent studies, low-value biodiesel can be achieved by transesterification of Nannochloropsis biomass. However, it is undoubtedly wasteful to produce microalgal biodiesel containing EPA from nutritional and economical aspects. A new strategy was addressed and exploited to produce low-value bulky biodiesel along with EPA enrichment via enzymatic ethanolysis of Nannochloropsis biomass with a specific lipase.ResultsCellulase pretreatment on Nannochloropsis sp. biomass significantly improved the biodiesel conversion by direct ethanolysis with five enzymes from Candida antarctica (CALA and CALB), Thermomyces lanuginosus (TL), Rhizomucor miehei (RM), and Aspergillus oryzae (PLA). Among these five biocatalysts, CALA was the best suitable enzyme to yield high biodiesel conversion and effectively enrich EPA. After optimization, the maximum biodiesel conversion (46.53–48.57%) was attained by CALA at 8:1 ethanol/biomass ratio (v/w) in 10–15% water content with 10% lipase weight at 35 °C for 72 h. Meanwhile, EPA (60.81%) was highly enriched in microalgae NPLs (neutral lipids and polar lipids), increasing original EPA levels by 1.51-fold. Moreover, this process was re-evaluated with two Nannochloropsis species (IMET1 and Salina 537). Under the optimized conditions, the biodiesel conversions of IMET1 and Salina 537 by CALA were 63.41% and 54.33%, respectively. EPA contents of microalgal NPLs were 50.06% for IMET1 and 53.73% for Salina 537.ConclusionCALA was the potential biocatalyst to discriminate against EPA in the ethanolysis of Nannochloropsis biomass. The biodiesel conversion and EPA enrich efficiency of CALA were greatly dependent on lipidic class and fatty acid compositions of Nannochloropsis biomass. CALA-catalyzed ethanolysis with Nannochloropsis biomass was a promising approach for co-production of low-value biodiesel and high-value microalgae products rich in EPA.

Continuous hydroprocessing of microalgae biodiesel to jet fuel range hydrocarbons promoted by Ni/hierarchical mesoporous Y zeolite catalyst

To simulate the industrial production of jet fuel range hydrocarbons, the hydroprocessing of Nannochloropsis oceanica microalgae biodiesel over a nickel-based hierarchical mesoporous Y (meso-Y) zeolite catalyst in a continuous process was investigated. The goal was to optimize two of the key parameters involved in hydroprocessing process, i.e., the reaction temperature and feedstock injection rate, to improve the biodiesel conversion and product selectivity, especially to iso-alkanes. A microalgae biodiesel conversion of 91.5% with a selectivity to jet fuel range hydrocarbons of 56.2% was obtained for a feedstock injection rate of 0.02 mL/min at 275 °C over Ni/meso-Y zeolite catalyst (total acid density = 3.08 mmol/g and BET surface area = 599.57 m2/g) in a fixed bed continuous hydroprocessing system. In addition, an isomerization ratio of 46.4% was achieved and attributed to the optimized reaction conditions, as well as to the shape selectivity exhibited by the catalyst. XRD performed for the used catalyst revealed unchanged crystallinity of the zeolite while a sintering process was noted for Ni nanoparticles whose crystallite size increased from 25 to 54 nm during hydroprocessing at 275 °C. FTIR detected functional groups of CH2 (final saturated hydrocarbons), CHO (intermediate aldehydes), and CC (intermediate olefins), which were generated over catalyst after reactions. SEM and EDS showed that carbon element (22.9 wt%) uniformly distributed over catalyst after reaction at 275 °C due to efficient conversion.

Effect of transesterification on the result of waste cooking oil conversion to biodiesel

Biodiesel is one of the greenest alternative fuels and can be produced from vegetable, waste cooking, and animal oils. Waste cooking oil is one of the raw materials that have a high chance of making biodiesel because it contains a very abundant tryglicerides. It is reacted with alcohol and NaOH catalyst through a transesterification reaction. Transesterification takes place inside a three-neck flask that has been equipped with condenser reflux, magnetic stirrer, and a thermometer. To know the effect by using variations of 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, and 150 minutes In this study, the optimum biodiesel conversion of WCO catfish seller was 85.2% preselected at a 1: 6 molar ratio, with 1% NaOH catalyst in 60 minutes. Meanwhile, conversion biodiesel from WCO of household used and WCO of fried sellers were respectively 82.34% and 82.20%. Based on the test of biodiesel properties resulting from the density, viscosity, acid number, water content, flash point and PH that biodiesel have been compliant with SNI. Biodiesel density of 880 kg/m3, acid number 0.27 mg-KOH/g, and has a maximum water content of 0.05. This biodiesel has the main compound the name is palmitic acid which 45.73%.

Hydrodeoxygenation and hydrocracking of microalgae biodiesel to produce jet biofuel over H3PW12O40-Ni/hierarchical mesoporous zeolite Y catalyst

To improve jet biofuel quality with increased iso-alkane content, a bi-functional catalyst with strong acidity was proposed to promote hydrodeoxygenation and hydrocracking of microalgae biodiesel through loading heteropoly acid H3PW12O40 (HPW) on Ni-based hierarchical mesoporous zeolite Y (meso-Y). It was found by quantum chemistry calculation that hydrodeoxygenation process of microalgae biodiesel was inclined to the decarboxylation pathway other than the decarbonylation pathway, because the total enthalpy of pentadecane and byproducts obtained through decarboxylation of methyl palmitate (C16:0) was lower by 187.7 kJ/mol than that through decarbonylation. The selectivities of hydrocracking products with odd carbons (2n − 1, n = 5, 6, 7, 8) were higher than those with even carbons (2n), because the covalent bonds hydrocracked to remove even carbons were 0.001–0.149% longer in bond length and 0.012–1.697% lower in bond order than those hydrocracked to remove odd carbons. The experimental results of hydrodeoxygenation and hydrocracking conversion of microalgae biodiesel into jet biofuel carried out in a fixed bed reaction system agreed well with the quantum chemistry calculation results. The BET surface area of 10% Ni/meso-Y catalyst loaded with 4% HPW decreased by 14.3% to 453.9 m2/g, but its strong acid density increased by 30.6% to 1.62 mmol/g. Accordingly, the selectivity of jet biofuel in liquid products converted from microalgae biodiesel at 255 °C and 2 MPa hydrogen increased to 63.1%, in which iso-alkane selectivity markedly increased to 20.5% and arene selectivity was reasonable at 11.1%.

Analysis of Biodiesel Conversion on Raw Material Variation Using Statistical Process Control Method

Biodiesel is a alternative fuel that can be obtained from vegetable oils or animal fats through transesterification reactions with alcohol. Biodiesel has numerous advantages compared to diesel oil, namely: it is a renewable energy resource, it is not toxic, and it is environmentally friendly because the raw material does not contain sulfur and low emissions. Biodiesel production is inseparable from the availability of raw materials, until now the raw materials that meet the needs of production capacity are palm oil (CPO). To overcome this problem, in this study we want to find out how much biodiesel conversion percentage if we use other raw materials such as: CPO oil, corn oil, VCO oil, and waste cooking oil. The analysis used in this study was the analysis of the use of raw materials to the value of biodiesel conversion using the Stastical Process Control (SPC) method. SPC method was used to analyze, manage, control, and improve a product and process using statistics. The objective of this study was to produce high conversion percentage biodiesel, and analyze and control the quality of research products. By having this statistical methods, it could be found errors in a study or out of control production so that further action can be taken to overcome them. In this study, it was found that the product which was outside of the control limit was biodiesel made from CPO and waste cooking oil. The results of the analysis using cause and effect diagrams could determine the causes of damage in the production process, which come from the factors of workers/humans, production machines, working methods, materials/raw materials and work environment.

Analysis of Biodiesel Conversion on Raw Material Variation Using Statistical Process Control Method

Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel that can be obtained from vegetable oils or animal fats through transesterification reactions with alcohol. Biodiesel has numerous advantages compared to diesel oil, namely: it is a renewable energy resource, it is not toxic, and it is environmentally friendly because the raw material does not contain sulfur and low emissions. Biodiesel production is inseparable from the availability of raw materials until now the raw materials that meet the needs of production capacity are palm oil (CPO). To overcome this problem, in this study we want to find out how much biodiesel conversion percentage if we use other raw materials such as: CPO oil, corn oil, VCO oil, and waste cooking oil. The analysis used in this study was the analysis of the use of raw materials to the value of biodiesel conversion using the Statistical Process Control (SPC) method. SPC method was used to analyze, manage, control, and improve a product and process using statistics. The objective of this study was to produce high conversion percentage biodiesel and analyze and control the quality of research products. By having this statistical method, it could be found errors in a study or out of control production so that further action can be taken to overcome them. In this study, it was found that the product which was outside of the control limit was biodiesel made from CPO and waste cooking oil. The results of the analysis using cause and effect diagrams could determine the causes of damage in the production process, which come from the factors of workers/humans, production machines, working methods, materials/raw materials and work environment.

Application of response surface methodology to evaluate biodiesel production from spent bleaching earth by in situ transesterification process

Spent bleaching earth (SBE) is used bleaching earth from refining of crude palm oil (CPO). SBE still contains 20 to 40 percents oil. The oil contained in SBE is not food grade oil (non edible oil), but it can be converted into biodiesel. One method used to produce biodiesel is in situ transesterification. In situ transesterification is a biodiesel production process by integrating the oil extraction and biodiesel conversion in one continuous process, so that the process can reduce the time and the cost of biodiesel production. The aim of the study was to obtain the optimal in situ esterification/transesterification reaction conditions to produce biodiesel, investigated using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A central composite design with three independent variables: reaction temperature (51.6, 55.0, 60.0, 65.0, and 68.4°C); in situ transesterification time (0.4, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.6 hours); and NaOH catalyst concentration (1.66, 2.0, 2.5, 3%, and 3.34% w/w) was used to study the response variable (yield of biodiesel). Based on the results of the experiment, it can be concluded that R2 was 0.8813, lack of fit was 0.278, and the optimum condition for the in situ transesterification process to produce biodiesel was a heating temperature of 64.33°C, NaOH catalyst concentration of 2.39% (w/w), and a reaction time of 2.32 hours.

Use of ZrO2 supported on bamboo leaf ash as a heterogeneous catalyst in microwave-assisted biodiesel conversion

In this research, bamboo leaf ash was utilized as ZrO2 support for heterogeneous catalyst application. The preparation of ZrO2-supported bamboo leaf ash (ZrO2/BLA) was conducted by the impregnation method with a metal content of 20%wt. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared material was studied using XRD, gas sorption analysis, FTIR and SEM-EDX. The material was tested for use in the biodiesel conversion of soybean oil under microwave-assisted conversion. The results show that the physicochemical characteristics of ZrO2/BLA facilitated the catalytic activity in biodiesel conversion. The effects of the reaction method, the methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and the catalyst weight were investigated. The microwave-assisted method gave yields comparable to those obtained via the reflux method in less time. The optimized conditions of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) production using the microwave-assisted reaction method were a 15:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, 30 min of reaction time and 12%wt. catalyst weight. The catalyst exhibited reusability properties, as indicated by its relatively similar yields, initial rates and turnover frequencies observed when fresh and reused catalysts were used.

Biodiesel production from rubber seed oil using calcium oxide derived from eggshell as catalyst – optimization and modeling studies

AbstractIn the present study, Calcium oxide (CaO) obtained from eggshells has been used as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production from highly viscous non-edible rubber seed oil (RSO). Characterization of synthesized catalyst was done with the help of scanning electron microscope equipped with Energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the process parameters and1H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy analysis was performed to find the conversion of RSO to biodiesel. A conversion of 99.7% of RSO to biodiesel was obtained at 12:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 4 (wt%) of catalyst, and 3 hour reaction time with a quadratic regression model of R2of value 0.9566 was obtained. The composition of prepared biodiesel is estimated with the help of Gas Chromatogram-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was also trained to predict biodiesel conversion and the value of R2obtained was 0.9976. It was observed that predicted conversion values from ANN were better when compared to prediction using RSM.