RSM Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Tobacco Seed Oil

Abstract

Biodiesel is a monoalkyl ester of fatty acid of long chain derived from vegetable oil. Response surface methodology based on Central Composite Design is used to analyze the interaction effect and to optimize the transesterification reaction variables such as reaction duration, catalyst amount and oil to methanol ratio on biodiesel yield. A quadratic model developed based on the CCD, correlating the yield of biodiesel with reaction variables. The predicted yield by optimization is found very close to the experimental values. The optimum conditions for biodiesel production is found to be at the reaction duration of 78 min, oil to methanol ratio of 1:6.09 and catalyst amount of 1.13%. The fuel properties of tobacco methyl ester at the optimized parameters are determined as per ASTM standard and the results of the TSO biodiesel are within biodiesel specifications.