Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Neem Seed Oil using Sulfated Zirconia and ZnO by two step Tranesterification

C. Muhammad; A.U. Muhammad; B.U. Bagudo; M. Mukhtar; A.B. Muhammad; M. Musa

Authors

C. Muhammad Department of pure and Applied Chemistry,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria
A.U. Muhammad Department of pure and Applied Chemistry,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria
B.U. Bagudo Department of pure and Applied Chemistry,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria
M. Mukhtar Department of pure and Applied Chemistry,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria
A.B. Muhammad Department of pure and Applied Chemistry,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria
M. Musa Department of pure and Applied Chemistry,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria

Keywords:

Two step transesterification, n-hexane, sulfated zirconia, Box-behnken, empirical model

Abstract

In this work, two steps transeterification of neem seed oil was done using sulfated zirconia and ZnO catalysts with the aim of optimizing the process variables for higher yields. Sulfated zirconia catalyst was prepared by solvent-free method and ZnO by sol-gel method. Response surface methodology based on Box-behnken design was used to design the experiment and model factors yield relationship. Neem seed oil was extracted using soxhlet extractor apparatus and n-hexan as solvent. The results obtained showed
oil yield of 40.64 ± 1.01 %. The empirical model obtained showed that reaction time and methanol were the most important variables that influenced biodiesel yield. The optimal process conditions were 60 oC, 98 minutes, 9:1 and 0.5 %, reaction temperature, reaction time, methanol to oil ratio and catalyst concentration are respectively. GC/MS showed that ester compounds were dominant over non-ester compounds. The fuel parameters were determined according to ASTM methods which were in conformity with ASTM D6751 requirements.