Optimization of biodiesel (Methyl ester) production from sodium-hydroxide catalyzed transesterification of Moringa oleifera L. seed oil

Date

4-2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Adviser/Committee Chair

Rex B. Demafelis

Committee Member

Butch G. Bataller, Monet C. Maguyon

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Abstract

Production of methyl ester from refined Moringa oleifera L.oil through NaOH- catalyzed transesterification was studied and optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). The reaction variables considered were, methanol-to-oil molar ratio, NaOH-to-oil molar ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time while the chosen response was methyl ester content. The methyl ester content was quantified using thin layer chromatography principles and with the aid of QuantiScan Version 3.0. Design-Expert® Version 7.1.6 was used for conducting RSM and suggested optimum combination of 1: 0.14: 11.10 oil: NaOH: methanol molar ratio and 2.60 hours of reaction time at a reaction temperature of 30.1 °C with 99.36 % predicted methyl ester content.The selection of the optimum is also based on the economy of the process; operating at ambient temperature would mean lesser operating cost and minimizing the reactants would mean lesser production cost. The predicted purity was confirmed via time profile of the % purity of the chosen best reaction condition at 99.21% purity after 2.6 hours.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology

Document Type

Thesis

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