Optimization of process parameters of biodiesel production from rapeseed oil with alkaline catalyzed transesterification method

In order to get the best conditions of reaction, based on one-factor tests, response surface methodology was applied to optimize the process parameters of biodiesel production from rapeseed oil with alkaline catalyzed transesterification method. The results showed that, regression equation of the variation of rapeseed oil conversion rate during transesterification reaction fitted very well. The optimal parameters were determined as follows, molar ratio of methanol to rapeseed oil, catalyst dosage, reaction time and reaction temperature were 6.12:1, 0.9%, 40 min and 57.74℃ respectively. Under the optimal conditions, verification tests showed that the conversion rate of rapeseed oil reached 97.43%, and the error was 0.4%, less than 5% compared with the predicted value. GC/MS analysis showed that the content of fatty acid methyl ester in biodiesel was 99.54%. Thus, the optimized conditions obtained using response surface methodology is reliable and the quality of the biodiesel was very good.