PROCESS OPTIMIZATION OF BIODIESEL PRODUCTION USING CENTRAL COMPOSITE ROTATABLE DESIGN (CCRD) MODEL BY RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY (RSM)

Abstract

The study deals with the optimization, characterization and kinetic studies of biodiesel production from virgin moringa oleifera seed oil obtained from Northern Nigeria. The optimization of reaction variables was achieved through Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The virgin oil was degummed prior to subjecting it for biodiesel production using methanol and sodium hydroxide. Reaction variables (reaction temperature, mole ratio, catalyst concentration and reaction time) were optimized using statistical software (Design Expert 7.0). Thirty (30) experimental runs were carried out using CCD. Optimal biodiesel yield (96.67%) was achieved at a reaction temperature, mole ratio, catalyst concentration and reaction time of 50 °C, 6:1, 0.25wt% and 60 minutes respectively. The statistical equation generated is in the form of second order SCIREA Journal of Chemical Engineering http://www.scirea.org/journal/Chemical October 25, 2022 Volume 5, Issue 1, February 2022 https://doi.org/10.54647/chemical5303924 polynomial with R2 value of 0.9215 which depicting 92.15% reliability of the second order polynomial equation obtained. These depicts that the experimental yields are in good agreement with predicted yields. Biodiesel fuel properties obtained showed that the density, specific gravity, viscosity, acid value, moisture content, sulphated ash, cetane number, cloud point, flash point, refractive index, distillation temperature (95 % recovery), initial boiling point and final boiling point are 0.860 gcm-3, 0.840, 4.90mm2s-1, 0.480mgKOHg-1, 0.096%, 0.020%, 44.00, -9oC, 163oC, 1.22, 330oC, 130oC, and 340oC respectively. The reaction was found to obey first order kinetics with an average rate of reaction, and activation energy of 476.00 JK-1. The biodiesel properties and the kinetic parameters obtained compare favorably with standards spectra of biodiesel from literature and ASTM standards.