OPTIMIZATION OF MICROWAVE-AIDED BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM NEEM SEED OIL USING BIO-CATALYST DERIVED FROM SCALLOP, COCONUT SHELLS AND SAWDUST: TAGUCHI L16 APPROACH

ABSTRACT

This research aimed at optimizing the microwave-aided biodiesel production from Neem Seed Oil (NSO) using a bio-catalyst. The optimization was achieved through simultaneous esterification and transesterification of NSO by using the Taguchi L16 Method. Two types of materials were used to make the bio-catalyst. Coconut shells and sawdust were carbonised and sulfurized to make an acidic site, and scallop was calcined and treated with KOH to make a basic site. After that, these two sites were impregnated to form the bio-catalyst. Several methods were used for characterization, such as SEM, XRF, XRD, FTIR, and BET. A reusability test was used to see if the catalyst could be used commercially. The test was done five times in a row under the optimal conditions to see how it affected the NSOB yield and Acid Value. The catalyst was washed and used multiple times. The yield of Neem Seed oil Biodiesel (NSOB) and acid value (AV) were the recorded results. The optimum condition of this study was found to be 15:1 methanol to oil ratio, 2 wt.% catalyst loading, 600W power intensity, 1000 rpm speed and 2 min of reaction time, obtaining an NSOB yield of 93.79 wt.% and AV of 0.44 mg KOH/g. The NSOB's physiochemical properties met the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards for biodiesel upon characterisation of the NSOB obtained at optimum conditions.