Optimization of Nigerian Restaurant Waste Cooking Biodiesel Reaction Parameters using Response Surface Methodology

The present work deals with the production of biodiesel from Nigerian restaurant waste cooking oil (NRWCO) and the optimization of the parameters that influences the alkaline transesterification of NRWCO into biodiesel using response surface methodology. The optimization parameters like oil: oil/methanol molar ratio, catalyst amount and reaction time were done using Design Expert 6.06 software. It was found that the maximum yield of biodiesel was obtained in 79.8 min for 1: 5.9, oil: methanol ratio, 1.2 wt. % KOH amount. A total of 20 experiments using Central Composite Design were carried out. The R2, adjusted R2 and predicted R2 values were 0.982, 0.9657 and 0.9088 respectively show that the experimental values are in good agreement with the predicted values. The properties of biodiesel at the optimized parameters, thus, produced confirm to the ASTM, EN and BIS specifications, making it an ideal alternative fuel for diesel engine.