Optimization of Reaction Parameters by Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

In this paper response surface methodology (RSM), has been used to study the effect of variables of biodiesel, the four variables of transesterification reaction methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst (NaoH) concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time to viscosity of rice bran oil methyl esters. Central composite design with 24 full factorial experiments was conducted to develop the quadratic model. The empirical model predicted that gives lowest viscosity of biodiesel would be 4.32 Cst at the follow operating conditions; a reaction time 60 min, a reaction temperature 550C, a catalyst concentration 1.5 wt %, and methanol to oil ratio 6: 1.The quadratic model is suitable to maximize the viscosity of biodiesel. All the properties were determined for the same experiment and these are satisfying almost all specification.