Optimization of the microwave-enhanced transesterification for coconut biodiesel production

Date of Publication

8-9-2011

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

Subject Categories

Chemical Engineering

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Chemical Engineering

Thesis Adviser

Susan A. Roces
Florinda T. Bacani
Raymond Girard R. Tan

Defense Panel Chair

Luis F. Razon

Defense Panel Member

Marylou M. Uy
Cynthia B. Fabian

Abstract/Summary

Extensive work has been done on the transesterification of non-edible and edible vegetable oils including coconut oil; however, no significant work has been done on the transesterification of coconut oil using microwave process intensification in order to accelerate the rate of reaction thereby increasing the efficiency of production. The microwave-enhanced process is expected to bring about considerable time saving as well as cost in production. Thus, an optimization study on biodiesel production from refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) coconut oil was conducted using alkali-catalyzed transesterification process via microwave-enhanced heating. The optimum conversion of the coco-biodiesel produced using two-level fraction factorial experimental design consisting of these test parameters, i.e., catalyst dosage (as OH-) per unit oil, methanol-to-oil mole ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time, type of catalyst (i.e., KOH and NaOH), and presence of agitation, were evaluated. Using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance, the significant parameters in conversion are the catalyst dosage (as OH-) per unit oil and presence of agitation. These parameters which proved to be significant in conversion within the experimental range investigated were further optimized using the central composite rotatable design. The optimum percent conversion is predicted to be at 94.48% using 0.44% catalyst dosage per unit oil and with the application of agitation (at ~120 rpm) in the process. The results were compared to the biodiesel produced via conventional heating. Based on comparison done within the experimental range conducted, conversion levels of coconut oil to methyl esters using conventional heating were in the range of 82.85 to 96.34% as compared to the levels of conversion achieved by employing microwave-enhanced transesterification which was in the range of 83.79 to 93.33%. Results showed that microwave process intensification results in drastic reductions in reaction time needed to achieve conversion levels that are comparable to those achieved via conventional processing. The results also showed that almost all of the most important properties of the biodiesel are very close and in range with those of the biodiesel specifications set by the Philippine National Standards and the internationally-accepted standards for biodiesel quality.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Electronic File Format

MS WORD

Accession Number

CDTG004999

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

78 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.

Keywords

Coconut oil as fuel; Transesterification; Biodiesel fuels; Renewable energy sources; Biomass energy

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Embargo Period

2-15-2022

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