Alkaline catalyzed biodiesel production from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil: Optimization of parameters and determination of fuel properties

In this study, the process of biodiesel production from safflower oil was optimized using a single-stage alkaline catalyst (NaOH). The optimization process was carried out depending on parameters, such as catalyst concentration, methanol-oil ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time. The optimum biodiesel conversion efficiency was obtained to be 93.4% at 0.5% catalyst concentration, 20% methanol-oil ratio, 60 min reaction time, and 60 degrees C reaction temperature. The fuel properties of biodiesel obtained under optimal conditions were determined.