TITLE:
Optimization of Biodiesel Production from African Crude Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) with High Concentration of Free Fatty Acids by a Two-Step Transesterification Process
AUTHORS:
Francisco Anguebes-Franseschi, Atl Córdova-Quiroz, Julia Cerón-Bretón, Claudia Aguilar-Ucan, Gloria Castillo-Martínez, Rosa Cerón-Bretón, Alejandro Ruíz-Marín, Carlos Montalvo-Romero
KEYWORDS:
Acid Catalysis, Alkaline Catalysis, Biodiesel Process Optimization, Response Surface Methodology
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
14,
2016
ABSTRACT: In this
study, African crude palm olein (CPO) was used to synthesize biodiesel. The
objective was to determine the optimal reaction conditions for the methanolysis
of olein. The used CPO had a 5.72% concentration of free fatty acids (FFA);
thus, the production of biodiesel was carried out in two stages: 1)
esterification using sulfuric acid and 2) transesterification using sodium
methoxide. In order to optimize the yield of biodiesel during the
transesterification process, a central rotatable design and the response
surface methodology were used. The studied variables were: catalyst loading,
reaction time and reaction temperature. The analysis of variance showed that
the variables with significant effect were the catalyst loading, reaction
temperature and reaction time; as well as the catalyst loading*reaction
temperature and catalyst loading*reaction time. Results indicate that the
optimal reaction conditions during transesterification are: 0.65% catalyst
loading (wt/wtaceite), reaction time of 135 min and a reaction
temperature of 56°C. The optimal reaction conditions during esterification are:
2.5% weight of catalyst, reaction time of 150 min and a reaction temperature of
64.5°C. Under these conditions, a 90% yield of biodiesel was obtained.