Process Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Jatropha Oil Using Response Surface Methodology and It’s Characterization

Abstract

Higher compression ratio and efficiency of the diesel engine make it the most popular prime mover for the transportation and agriculture sectors which is growing at a faster rate. Hence the demand for petroleum diesel is also increasing at the same rate. The limited availability of sources of petroleum diesel fuel is the biggest concern for the continuous growth of these sectors. Therefore, alternatives to these energy sources become the prime area of research for the governments of most of the countries. So biodiesel is one of the promising alternatives to petroleum diesel fuel which was well known to all the researchers working in this field. Also due to its simplicity in production and a wide range of feedstocks increases its popularity. In the present work the biodiesel of jatropha oil, which is one of the oldest non-edible feedstock identified by the researchers, is prepared and the process of production is optimized with the help of one optimizing technique. The main motive of opting optimizing technique is to improve the yield of biodiesel by finding the most economical combination of all variables which affect the biodiesel production. The research surface methodology (RSM) is used as an optimizing technique for biodiesel production in the current research work. The yield of jatropha oil biodiesel obtained normally is around 85% due to its higher free fatty acid (FFA) content. The yield of biodiesel produced from the same feedstock is increased from 85% to 95.5% while prepared with optimization tools. The detailed information about various parameters affecting yield and their optimum value is discussed in detail during the present work.