Optimisation of Second-Generation Biodiesel Production from Australian Native Stone Fruit Oil Using Response Surface Method

Mohammad Anwar, Mohammad G. Rasul, Nanjappa Ashwath and Md Mofijur Rahman
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Mohammad Anwar: School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia
Mohammad G. Rasul: School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia
Nanjappa Ashwath: School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia
Md Mofijur Rahman: School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-18

Abstract: In this study, the production process of second-generation biodiesel from Australian native stone fruit have been optimised using response surface methodology via an alkali catalysed transesterification process. This process optimisation was performed varying three factors, each at three different levels. Methanol: oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration (wt %) and reaction temperature were the input factors in the optimisation process, while biodiesel yield was the key model output. Both 3D surface plots and 2D contour plots were developed using MINITAB 18 to predict optimum biodiesel yield. Gas chromatography (GC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of the resulting biodiesel was also done for biodiesel characterisation. To predict biodiesel yield a quadratic model was created and it showed an R 2 of 0.98 indicating the satisfactory performance of the model. Maximum biodiesel yield of 95.8% was obtained at a methanol: oil molar ratio of 6:1, KOH catalyst concentration of 0.5 wt % and a reaction temperature of 55 °C. At these reaction conditions, the predicted biodiesel yield was 95.9%. These results demonstrate reliable prediction of the transesterification process by Response surface methodology (RSM). The results also show that the properties of the synthesised Australian native stone fruit biodiesel satisfactorily meet the ASTM D6751 and EN14214 standards. In addition, the fuel properties of Australian native stone fruit biodiesel were found to be similar to those of conventional diesel fuel. Thus, it can be said that Australian native stone fruit seed oil could be used as a potential second-generation biodiesel source as well as an alternative fuel in diesel engines.

Keywords: response surface methodology; RSM; second-generation biodiesel; stone fruit; optimisation; biodiesel testing; transesterification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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