TITLE:
Optimization of Jatropha Biodiesel Production by Response Surface Methodology
AUTHORS:
Nurudeen Ishola Mohammed, Nassereldeen Ahmed Kabbashi, Md Zahangir Alam, Mohamed Elwathig S. Mirghani
KEYWORDS:
Jatropha curcas, Esterification, Optimization, Yield, Conversion
JOURNAL NAME:
Green and Sustainable Chemistry,
Vol.11 No.1,
February
19,
2021
ABSTRACT: Cost of biodiesel is primarily because of factors such
as the feedstock, production process and materials. Apparently, the final biodiesel
product is a bit expensive compared to fossil diesel fuel. While non-food feedstock
of high oil content such as Jatropha curcas has been proposed to reduce
the cost due to the feedstock, a promising two-step approach of hydro-esterification
can possibly offset the production cost for oil resource with high free fatty acids.
Most importantly, optimization of the materials and process is expected to reduce
wastage, enhance product purity and generate less wastewater. However, optimizing
product generation has been dauntingly elusive because several parameters are needed
to be considered holistically. In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
was employed to optimize the yield and conversion of Jatropha biodiesel from J. curcas hydrolysate.
An optimum Yield and conversion of 96% was achieved for both responses with an optimum
temperature value of 60°C, 4 wt% for catalyst loading for 6 hrs reaction
time. Findings imply that optimization study of Jatropha curcas hydrolysate
for yield and conversion of fatty acid methyl esters using face centered central
composite design of Design Expert 6.0.8 can ensure purity of product, conserve energy
and reduce waste generation providing a significant frontier in biodiesel pricing.