Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Cottonseed Oil by Transesterification Using NaOH and Methanol

Abstract In this study, the transesterification of cottonseed oil with methanol was carried out using NaOH. The parameters, such as molar methanol:oil ratio, NaOH %, and temperature effecting the yield and biodiesel quality, were investigated to optimize biodiesel production from cottonseed oil. Below 50°C, transesterification of cottonseed oil was not completed at any molar methanol:oil ratios and catalyst percentages in 1 h. In 3:1 methanol:oil ratio, full conversion was not observed. Optimum conversion was obtained at 6:1 methanol:oil ratio and at temperatures between 50 and 60°C. Above 60°C, some difficulties were encountered in the washing step. Biodiesels that were produced at different molar methanol:oil ratios, NaOH concentrations, and temperatures were tested according to accepted standard methods and the results were compared with standard values.

[1]  A. Demirbas,et al.  Biodiesel from vegetable oils via transesterification in supercritical methanol , 2002 .

[2]  G Antolín,et al.  Optimisation of biodiesel production by sunflower oil transesterification. , 2002, Bioresource technology.

[3]  J. V. Gerpen,et al.  BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM OILS AND FATS WITH HIGH FREE FATTY ACIDS , 2001 .

[4]  M. Mittelbach,et al.  Kinetics of Alkaline Catalyzed Methanolysis of Sunflower Oil , 1990 .

[5]  M. J. Nye,et al.  Conversion of used frying oil to diesel fuel by transesterification: Preliminary tests , 1983 .

[6]  Pedro Felizardo,et al.  Production of biodiesel from waste frying oils. , 2006, Waste management.

[7]  H. Masjuki,et al.  Biodiesel from palmoil—an analysis of its properties and potential , 2002 .

[8]  E. H. Pryde,et al.  Variables affecting the yields of fatty esters from transesterified vegetable oils , 1984 .

[9]  Yasuaki Maeda,et al.  Effects of Molar Ratio, Catalyst Concentration and Temperature on Transesterification of Triolein with Ethanol under Ultrasonic Irradiation , 2007 .

[10]  Filiz Karaosmanoglu,et al.  Fuel Properties of Cottonseed Oil , 1999 .

[11]  M. P. Dorado,et al.  KINETIC PARAMETERS AFFECTING THE ALKALI-CATALYZED TRANSESTERIFICATION PROCESS OF USED OLIVE OIL , 2004 .

[12]  J. V. Gerpen,et al.  Process Optimization of Biodiesel Production Using Alkaline Catalysts , 2006 .

[13]  A. Tomašević,et al.  Methanolysis of used frying oil , 2003 .

[14]  T. Foglia,et al.  Fuel properties and nitrogen oxide emission levels of biodiesel produced from animal fats , 2005 .

[15]  H. Noureddini,et al.  A continuous process for the conversion of vegetable oils into methyl esters of fatty acids , 1998 .

[16]  John Sheehan,et al.  An Overview of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel Life Cycles , 2000 .

[17]  J. Marchetti,et al.  Possible methods for biodiesel production , 2007 .

[18]  A. Schwab,et al.  Preparation and properties of diesel fuels from vegetable oils , 1987 .

[19]  John Sheehan,et al.  Life cycle inventory of biodiesel and petroleum diesel for use in an urban bus. Final report , 1998 .