Optimization of Biodiesel (MOME) Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM

Today about 80% of world energy requirement is provided by petroleum products. Its, extensive utilization
has led to climate change, environmental pollution, and health problems. To reduce these effects, it is
necessary to enhance the use of renewable energy sources. Among many renewable energy sources biodiesel
is one such alternate. Biodiesel is produced by reacting oil (mahua oil) with alcohol in present of base
catalyst such as (NaOH, KOH) by a process known as trans-esterification. For the optimization of biodiesel
production, various parameters have to be considered such as oil/alcohol ratio, temperature, reaction time,
catalyst, nature of catalyst (homogeneous, heterogeneous), and type of process (single, two step process).
This can be achieved with experience and research in the corresponding field but these things require
enamors time. There is a method based on statistics and mathematics which can optimize the process
parameters in very short time, called RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY (RSM). The optimum
condition for the biodiesel production using RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY (RSM) is 92.7 ml
mahua oil with 1:12 methanol/oil molar ratio, 0.4wt of catalyst and 10 minute reaction time in an oscillatory
baffled reactor (OBR).