Production of Biodiesel From Croton gratissimus Oil Using Sulfated Zirconia and KOH as Catalysts

Optimization studies for the esterification and transesterification of oil extracted from Croton gratissimus grains were carried out using response surface methodology (RMS) that utilizes central composite design (CCD) analysis variance (ANOVA). A 2 3 full-factorial rotatable CCD three independent variables at five levels was developed in each case, giving a total 20 experiments needed per study. The factors chosen study catalyst concentration, methanol-to-oil ratio, reaction temperature. values acid value (in esterification) percentage FAME yield purity transesterification) taken as responses designed experiments. In optimization processes, ANOVA showed both quadratic regression models significant. optimum operating conditions process could give an 2.693 mg KOH/g found to be 10.96 mass% SO 4 2– /ZrO 27.60 64°C process, model revealed concentration ratio terms had most influence on % final biodiesel product. From combined model, it established 84.51% 90.66% achieved when 1.439 KOH 7.472 temperature 63.50°C. Furthermore, two-step synthesis, predominantly monoclinic-phased sulfated zirconia (SO ) exhibited high activity free fatty grains. 91% reduction 21.46 2.006 oil, well below maximum limit, achieved. This resulted produced subsequent catalytic KOH.