Application of Response Surface Methodology for the Prediction of Different Operating Parameters in the Production of Mesua Ferrea Oil Methyl Ester

This study is projected to regard as characteristics related to the viability of the preparation of methyl ester from Mesua ferrea oil through transesterification using Trisodium phosphate (Na3PO4) and Tripotassium phosphate (K3PO4). Na3PO4 and K3PO4 have high catalytic properties intended for the reaction of transesterification and cost-effective compared to other catalysts. The transesterification process was undergone at diverse operating constraints such as methanol to oil molar ratio (4:1 to 12:1), catalyst concentration (0.75 to 1.75%), and reaction temperature (55-70oC). The duration of transesterification was fixed at 60 min. The maximum yield was obtained at a molar ratio of 8:1 and a catalyst concentration of 1.25% at a reaction temperature of 65oC for the duration of one hour. The yield of Mesua ferrea oil methyl ester (MFOME) with K3PO4 catalyst has specified more compared to Na3PO4. Further, the MFOME was analyzed for physic-chemical properties and all the properties were found to be matched with ASTM standards. Particularly, the superior cetane number was achieved with MFOME. The biodiesel yield of RSM predicted values using both catalysts were well correlated with experimental results.