OPTIMUM BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM AFRICAN OIL BEAN SEED OIL

ABSTRACT

In this study, a heterogeneous catalyst from calcined antelope bones and African oil bean seed pod was used for the production of biodiesel from African oil bean seed oil (AOBSO) characterised by 0.441% free fatty acid (FFA) and 0.15wt% water content via transesterification reaction was investigated. The antelope bone and Africa oil been seed pod were washed with distilled water to remove impurities, dried in an oven at 105°C, and then grinded into fine particles and finally, calcined in a muffle furnace at 900°C and 700oc. Catalyst Characterization was done using Brunauer Emmet Teller (BET), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The BET analysis. The results showed that the catalyst is characterized by high surface area (40.65m2 /g) and large pore diameter (50.85 Å) allowing reactants to diffuse easily into the interior of the catalyst. The transesterification reaction was mediated by the catalyst, methanol and African oil bean seed oil in a batch reactor for 29 experimental runs and four independent process variables were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN).