Process optimization of biodiesel production from wild rapeseed (Brassica campestris)

Abstract

The objectives of this study were, to optimize the performance of biodiesel from rapeseed wild oil depending on the molar ratio methanol / oil, the concentration of NaOH and KOH homogeneous catalysts, temperature and time of transesterification through the response surface methodology, and determining the physicochemical characteristics of biodiesel obtained under optimized conditions. A Plackett and Burman (PB12) design was applied for the screening stage and a rotatable central composite design (DCCR) for the final optimization. The conditions that maximize the yield of biodiesel (77.8%) were obtained at concentrations of 0 to 0.2% NaOH and 0.4 to 0.6% KOH, with time from 77 to 81 minutes, keeping constant the molar ratio of methanol/oil in 6/1 and a temperature of 60 °C. The physicochemical properties of biodiesel obtained under optimized conditions meet the technical specifications given by ASTM D6751 - 07 and EN14214

Keywords

• Experimental design
• Transesterification
• methanolysis
• Plackett and Burman.