Application of factorial design and response surface methods to optimize ethyl biodiesel production from corn oil

Abstract

In this study were investigated, by applying fractional factorial and central composite, and the variables of the reaction of transesterification of corn oil using ethyl alcohol: (i) reaction time, (ii) agitation speed, (iii) molar ratio ethanol: oil, (iv) type of catalyst, (v) concentration of the catalyst and (vi) temperature. The goal is to optimize the process conditions in order to achieve maximum efficiency of the transesterification reaction and evaluate the effect of each variable and their interactions on yield. After bench scale was performed physicochemical characterization of ethyl biodiesel of corn in the best condition, and that fits the parameters analyzed in accordance with the specifications of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and European Committee for Standardization (EN).