Optimization of Experimental Conditions for Biodiesel Production

This study is based on optimizing the experimental conditions of biodiesel production by base-catalyzed transesterification using waste cooking oil (WCO). In this study, the key parameters varied were methanol (20, 25, 30, 35, and 40%), sodium hydroxide (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0g), reaction time (40, 60, 90, 100 and 120 minutes) and reaction temperature (50, 52, 55, 58, and 60 C). Maximum biodiesel yield of 86% was obtained at optimum conditions of 30% methanol concentration, 0.4g of NaOH concentration, 60C reaction temperature and 90 minutes of operation. Biodiesel produced meets American Standard of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards of biodiesel fuel: viscosity (4.0564 – 4.9824cSt), density (0.8790 – 0.8819g/cm), flash point (157 – 168C), pour point (0 to -3C) and calculated cetane index (7.45 – 8.26). Index Term-Biodiesel, fossil fuel, methanol, transesterification, waste cooking oil.