Date

4-2009

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Rex B. Demafelis

Co-adviser

Laura J Pham

Committee Member

Butch G. Battaler, Myra G. Borines

Abstract

This parametric study was carried out to determine the effects of co-solvent tetrahydrofuran in methyl ester production from Jatropha curcas L. and to obtain the best operating conditions for transesterification. Three levels of study were done. The first level was varying the oil to catalyst ratio (1:0.1, 1:0.2, 1:0.3). The chosen best ratio in the first level was 1:0.2 which yields 99% methyl ester after one-hour reaction. In the second level of analysis, the mixing rate was varied (500rpm, 750rpm, 1000rpm). Among the three ratios, 1000 rpm showed the highest methyl ester yield that is 97% at 15 minutes reaction time. For the last level of analysis, the effect temperature was examined. The temperature was increased to 45°C and it yields 99% methyl ester at 15 minutes reaction time.

Language

English

LC Subject

Jatropha, Fossil fuels--Toxicology

Call Number

LG 993.5 2009 E62 M34

Document Type

Thesis

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