Production of biodiesel fuel by transesterification of rapeseed oil

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol. 113; no. 1-3; pp. 747 - 758
• Main Authors: Jeong, G.T, Park, D.H, Kang, C.H, Lee, W.T, Sunwoo, C.S, Yoon, C.H, Choi, B.C, Kim, H.S, Kim, S.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 2004
• Subjects: Air pollution; Alcohols; Alcohols - chemistry; Alternative energy sources; Biodiesel fuels; Bioelectric Energy Sources; Biofuels; biological production; Biotechnology - methods; Brassica napus; Catalysis; Catalysts; Conversion ratio; Diesel; Diesel fuels; Esters; Esters - chemistry; Fatty acid methyl esters; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - chemistry; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Gasoline; Hydroxides - chemistry; Metals, Alkali; Mixing ratio; Plant Oils - chemistry; Potassium Compounds - chemistry; Rape plants; Rapeseed; Rapeseed Oil; Reaction time; Renewable energy; Studies; Temperature; Time Factors; Transesterification
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291; 0273-2289
• DOI: 10.1385/ABAB:114:1-3:747

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) show large potential applications as diesel substitutes, also known as biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel as renewable energy is an alternative that can reduce energy dependence on petroleum as well as air pollution. Several processes for the production of biodiesel fuel have been developed. Transesterification processes under alkali catalysis with short-chain alcohols give high yields of methyl esters in short reaction times. We investigated transesterification of rapeseed oil to produce the FAMEs. Experimental reaction conditions were molar ratio of oil to alcohol, concentration of catalyst, type of catalyst, reaction time, and temperature. The conversion ratio of rapeseed oil was enhanced by the alcohol:oil mixing ratio and the reaction temperature.