Modelling and optimisation of biodiesel production from Euphorbia lathyris using ASPEN Hysys

Abstract

Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) is a weed that is non-edible and have no other competitive use. The oil has a high percentage of mono-unsaturation in fatty acid composition hence an excellent non-edible feedstock for biodiesel production. The aim of this work is to model the production of biodiesel from E. lathyris using methanol and NaOH catalyst on an in silico platform. Based on the results obtained from the model, the effect of the process factors such as temperature, methanol–oil ratio and catalyst loading on the reaction conversion was evaluated. A quadratic model was developed using response surface methodology for estimating the response based on the levels of the process factors. Analysis of variance revealed that the model was significant. The optimal conversion was predicted as 83.5% and can be achieved at a temperature of 65 °C, 9.99 mol/mol methanol–oil ratio and 4.29 wt% catalyst loading. The study has successfully established a simulation framework to study the production of biodiesel from Caper spurge oil (E. lathyris L.).