This document summarizes research optimizing biodiesel production from sunflower oil using response surface methodology. The researchers analyzed how temperature, catalyst concentration, and molar ratio of methanol to oil affect biodiesel production. They found maximum production occurred at a temperature of 48°C, molar ratio of 6825:1, and KOH concentration of 0.679wt%. Under these optimized conditions, biodiesel produced had properties very similar to petrodiesel, offering a potential alternative fuel.

1. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Instituto Universitario Politécnico
“Santiago Mariño
OPTIMIZATION OF BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM SUNFLOWER
OIL USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY .
Professor:
César Velásquez
Section 4 a(Ingles Technical)
By: Miguel Villanueva
C.I:25.108.275
Code :nº 44
Porlamar, May 30, 2015.

2. Introduction
Biodiesel is a fuel better than fossil diesel in terms of performance of the
engine, emissions reduction, lubricity and environmental benefits.
Vegetable oil is one of renewable fuels that have been made more
attractive and has a very high viscosity for use on the majority of existing
Diesel as a direct replacement fuel oil engines
Response surface methodology is used to analyze the effect of the
interaction of the variables of the Transesterification reaction such as
temperature, concentration of catalyst and molar ratio of methanol to the
oil in the production of biodiesel. Finally, the objectives are to the effects of
reaction temperature, concentration of catalyst and fraction parameters
molar of methanol to the oil in the production of biodiesel and to optimize
the reaction conditions using RSM. the properties of the ether

3. Macrostructure
The optimization of the production of biodiesel, is based on the use of oil
vegetal which is an organic compound obtained from seeds or other parts
of plants whose tissue accumulates as a source of energy. This is kinetic
experiments that manage to optimize various parameters of methyl ethers.
The article is specifically the method of response surface, whose central
composite design allows to optimize the operation variables (temperature,
concentration of catalyst and oil proportion methanol) to reach the high
value of biodiesel production.
Microlocation
 Used reactor was a reactor of expandable modular laboratory
LR 2000 P. IKA laboratory reactor was wall cups double shirt
available 2-litre stainless steel with bottom discharge valve.
 The reason for the lower calorific value of biodiesel is the presence
of oxygen chemically bound in vegetable oils that reduces their
heating values.
 Acids saturated fatty to be higher in oil, produced biodiesel has a
poorer cloud point. Carbonaceous residue of biodiesel was lower
than the of petro-diesel 0.002% of weight.
 The value of biodiesel for heating was 39.58 MJ/Kg, which is lower
than that of petrodiesel but only 9 percent. The reason for the lower
calorific value of biodiesel is the presence of oxygen chemically
bound in vegetable oils that reduces their heating values.

4. Macroposicion
The structure of the device used: the reactor, consists of glasses of double
wall, shirt available 2 liters, of stainless steel, with bottom discharge valve.
Equipment necessary to carry out the experiments.
• The optimization of extraction, is based on a series of conditions
that allow to make a prediction about the production of biodiesel
• Conventional catalysts used for the Transesterification are acids
and alkalis, however the reaction rates to convert triglycerides into
methyl ethers are very slow.
• Knowledge of the composition of fatty acids is essential, since
through the is accomplished largely deduced the viscosity of
biodiesel

5. Conclusions
Response surface methodology was successfully applied for
transesterification of methanol
Biodiesel production has a negative quadratic behavior by temperature,
molar ratio of alcohol to oil and the catalyst concentration. It was predicted
that the optimum reaction condition within the experimental range would
be the molar ratio of 6825: 1 and temperature of 48 ° C and KOH
concentration equal to 0.679wt%. In the optimal condition we can reach 98
181% for performance. The methyl ether is produced in optimal conditions
compared to OK and petro-diesel properties. It has less sulfur, carbon
residue and acid cetane number petro-diesel, but the kinematic viscosity
and heating value of petro-diesel is slightly better compared to biodiesel.
Finally, we can conclude that biodiesel will be a convenient alternative for
replacing petro-diesel without any modification to the engine.