Research Article Open Access

Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Spent Palm Cooking Oil Using Fractional Factorial Design Combined with the Response Surface Methodology

S.M. Zakir Hossain1, Nahid Sultana2, Muhammad Faisal Irfan1, Elamin Mohammed Ali Elkanzi1, Yousuf Ahmed Mirza Al-Aali1, Ahmed Taha3 and Sk Manirul Haque4
  • 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Bahrain, P.O. Box 32038, Bahrain
  • 2 Department of Computer Science, Building 600, Main Campus, University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia
  • 3 Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Bahrain, P.O. Box 32038, Bahrain
  • 4 Department of Chemical Engineering and Process Technology, Jubail Industrial College, Royal Commission of Jubail, P.O. Box No-10099, Jubail 31961, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) of the experiments combined with the response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum conditions for the production of biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil (UCO) in a batch reactor. Spent palm olein cooking oil was used as a raw material for biodiesel production as it is commonly used in most of the restaurants in Bahrain. The data indicate that the catalyst (NaOH) concentration and reaction temperature are the most influential factors, while the reaction time and molar ratio of methanol to oil (M:O) have only modest effects on the biodiesel yield. A 2nd order polynomial model was used to predict the biodiesel yield as a function of the catalyst amount and temperature. For the production of alkyl esters, the optimum conditions are 50°C, 0.30 wt % of NaOH catalyst, 1h reaction time and 9:1 feed molar ratio. These optimum values agree well with the literature values. At these optimum values, the alkyl esters content is 89.3 vol%, which is in good agreement with the predicted biodiesel yield (~ 91% by volume). Also, the biodiesel produced was characterized based on the flashpoint, viscosity, density, pH, percentage conversion of oil and yield.

American Journal of Applied Sciences
Volume 13 No. 11, 2016, 1255-1263

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2016.1255.1263

Submitted On: 8 April 2016 Published On: 22 November 2016

How to Cite: Hossain, S. Z., Sultana, N., Irfan, M. F., Elkanzi, E. M. A., Al-Aali, Y. A. M., Taha, A. & Haque, S. M. (2016). Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Spent Palm Cooking Oil Using Fractional Factorial Design Combined with the Response Surface Methodology. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 13(11), 1255-1263. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2016.1255.1263

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Keywords

  • Biodiesel
  • Used Cooking Oil
  • Fractional Factorial Design
  • Response Surface Methodology
  • Renewable Energy