A Comparative Analysis of Impact of Hexane, Diethyl Ether, Toluene and Acetone on Biodiesel Transesterification Process

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil with an acid value of 1.82 mg KOH/g in the presence of methanol and KOH, utilizing cosolvent technology in order to increase biodiesel output by overcoming mass transfer resistance. This study examined the effect of four cosolvents (hexane, diethyl ether, toluene and acetone) on biodiesel yield under optimized reaction conditions, including cosolvent-to-oil weight ratio, reaction time and temperature. The polarity index of cosolvent was determined primarily on its biodiesel yield performance. Highest yield (98.46%) of biodiesel was obtained at 20 wt.% of acetone; 1:6 molar ratio (oil-to-methanol), 1 wt.% KOH at 40 ± 1 ºC for 10 min of reaction time at 600 rpm. The physico-chemical properties of biodiesel such as acid value, density, kinematic viscosity and flash point were evaluated and found to be within ASTM standards.