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

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 R2 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.

Influence of Physicochemical Characteristics of Neem Seeds (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on Biodiesel Production

“…586 MJ/kg, respectively. This PCI of neem oil biodiesel is similar to that of soybean oil and Chlorella protothecoides micoalgae oil, estimated at 40 MJ/kg [24] and 41 MJ/kg [25], respectively, but slightly higher than that of palm oil and sunflower oil, evaluated at 34 MJ/kg [26]. Moreover, the viscosity of the biodiesel obtained, evaluated on average at 4.36 and 4.49 cSt is comparable to that of the petrodiesel which varied from 3.1 to 4.7 cSt [17,23,27].…”

Potential of Rice Industry Biomass as a Renewable Energy Source

“…It is crucial to maintain energy usage and find a more sustainable source of energy, such as renewable energy, to fulfil global needs [15][16][17]. Most countries have come up with policies which offer benefits and funding to companies that seek to develop the renewable energy technology and eliminate fossil-fuel-based technologies [8].…”

The Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Calophyllum inophyllum—Palm Biodiesel

“…Because of the negative impact and limited reserve of fossil fuels, scientists have focused on the new sources of energy to replace the fossil fuel [1,2]. Renewable energy sources have been proven to create less or zero-emission energy generation and can play an important role to lower fossil fuel consumption [3]. In many countries, different types of renewable energy sources including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, bioenergy and biofuel has been introduced [4][5][6][7][8][9].…”