Biodiesel Production by Alkali Catalyzed Transesterification of chicken and beef fats

Abstract

Biodiesel is renewable, biodegradable and environment friendly fuel. Actually biodiesel is mono alkyl esters of animal fats oil and vegetable oils. Biodiesel from animal fat oils produced through transesterification in presence of methanol and alkaline catalyst. In this study alkaline base catalyst KOH was used. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimum conditions for the production of biodiesel through alkaline-catalyzed transesterification of chicken and beef tellow. From the results of the present study the optimum reaction conditions for methanolysis of chicken and beef tallow i.e., 0.50% KOH as catalyst, methanol/ oil molar ratio 2.1:1, reaction temperature 60^oC, rate of mixing 600 rpm and a reaction time of 60 min, provided 88% of biodiesel yield. The influence of the catalyst concentration was very important because at higher catalyst concentrations the % age yield of biodiesel was decreased and also if moisture content is greater in environment then conversion lead to the soap formation. The oil/methanol molar ratio was one of the variables that had the most prevalent influence on the transesterification process. Fuel properties were determined such as the flash, pour points of biodiesel produced are found to be somewhat higher, which may point to potential difficulties in cold starts. Thus, biodiesel derived from chicken and beef tallow is an acceptable substitute for petrodiesel. Physical and chemical analysis of biodiesel showed that it is more economical and contributes less to global warming as compared to fossil fuels burning. Biodiesel seems to be realistic fuel for future. It has become more attractive recently because of its environmental benefits.