An optimized study of methanol and ethanol in supercritical alcohol technology for biodiesel production

Kok Tat Tan, Meei Mei Gui, Keat Teong Lee*, Abdul Rahman Mohamed

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

93 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, optimization of non-catalytic supercritical methanol reaction via response surface methodology analysis was carried out. Subsequently, the results obtained were compared with reported results of supercritical ethanol in order to investigate the effect of alcohol in supercritical alcohol reaction. Important variables such as reaction time, reaction temperature and molar ratio of alcohol to oil were optimized in order to obtain the optimum yield of biodiesel. Apart from single-parameter effect, response surface methodology also considered the influence of variable interactions in the experimental design. Hence, this method of analysis allows a comprehensive understanding of the process by minimal number of experimental runs. Results obtained from optimization studies showed that supercritical methanol reaction can achieve optimum yield (81.5%) at relatively lower reaction time compared to supercritical ethanol process (79.2%).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)82-87
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Supercritical Fluids
Volume53
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jun 2010

Keywords

  • Biodiesel
  • Ethanol
  • Methanol
  • Optimization
  • Palm oil
  • Response surface methodology
  • Supercritical
  • Transesterification

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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