Optimization of the Transesterification Reaction Using Response Surface Methodology from Rapeseed Oil

In this article on optimization of the transesterification reaction from rapeseed oil, response surface methodology based on central composite design was used. The central composite designs contain a total of 20 individual experimental trials. The former 8 were organized in a fractional factorial design and from 15 to 20 involving the replications of the central points. The experiments were designed to study reaction temperature, methanol/oil molar ratio, and catalyst amount. The effects of five-level-three-factors and their interrelated interactions were assessed. Analysis of variance was used to determine the significance of the factors and their interactions, which primarily affect the first transesterification reaction. The catalyst amount is the most important factor, having a positive influence on transesterification reaction. Catalyst amount, methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and reaction temperature, which have been found to be optimal for transesterification reaction, were 0.7 wt%, 7.25:1, and 56.54 degrees C, respectively. According to the statistical model, we obtain the highest conversion yield of biodiesel, which would be 99.3%.