**5.2.7 Evaluation of column operating conditions**

310 Biodiesel – Feedstocks and Processing Technologies

Castor oil Cottonseed oil Coconut oil

Methyl esters Conversion (%), Coconut oil

> Castor oil Cottonseed oil Coconut oil

012345 **Reaction Time (Hours)**

**5.2.6 Effect of methanol to oil molar ratio on methyl ester conversion using** 

Reaction time = 1.5 hrs, Reaction temperature =60oC, Catalyst loading=3wt. % Amberlyst-15

0 3 6 9 12 15 **Methanol -to-oil molar ratio(mol/mol)**

molar ratio of 6:1.So, it is considered as optimum methanol to oil molar ratio.

Fig. 17. Effect of methanol to oil molar ratio on methyl ester conversion using Amberlyst-15

It can be observed that there was no rise in ME conversion when methanol to oil molar ratio was increased from 6:1 to 12:1 .The highest conversion was achieved at methanol to oil

Methyl esters Conversion (%), Castor oil

Fig. 16. Effect of reaction time on Methyl ester Conversion using Amberlyst -15 Catalyst

6 89 92 90 9 76 84 77 12 44 73 39

Table 17. Effect of methanol to oil molar ratio on Methyl ester conversion using Amberlyst-

Methyl esters Conversion (%), Cottonseed oil

Optimum reaction time =1.5 hours

**Amberlyst-15 catalyst** 

Methanol-t-oil molar ratio

Optimum methanol to oil molar ratio = 6:1

15 catalyst

**Methylester conversion(%)**

catalyst

**Methylesters Conversion(%)**


**Effect of reaction temperature on methyl ester conversion** 

Molar ratio of Methanol to Oil = 6:1, Catalyst (KOH) = 1% (by wt. of oil), Flow rate = 6ml/min, reaction time =6min

Optimum reaction Temperature = 60oC

Fig. 18. Effect of Temperature on Methyl ester conversion (%)

The effect of temperature on methyl ester conversion was studied by transesterification at different temperature i.e. 55 oC, 60 oC and 65 oC. It was observed that the conversion increased with increase in temperature from 55 oC to 60 oC . But there was no significant rise in conversion after 60 oC upto 65 oC. So, the optimum value of temperature for this transesterification reaction was considered as 60 oC.
