The enzymatic process of biodiesel production from jatropha curcas | |
| Author | Apichart Aroonnual |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.FB-09-01 |
| Subject(s) | Jatropha Biodiesel fuels |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. FB-09-01 |
| Abstract | Biodiesel is a potential alternative fuel that has ability to replace a part of petroleum fuel requirement. Biodiesel can be produced by transesterification of triglycerides (vegetable oil or animal fats) with alcohol like methanol and ethanol. However the use of chemical catalyst has some drawbacks, so enzyme catalyzed biodiesel production is being attempted. In the present study, Jatropha oil was selected as a substrate to produce free acid methyl ester (FAME) or biodiesel. Two types of catalyst alkali sodium hydroxide and enzyme Novozyme 435 were studied in order to determine the optimum conditions. In case of the enzyme, the effect of loading of immobilized lipase, reaction temperature, methanol ratio of initial methanol to oil, incubation time, and stability of enzyme that have an effect on final FAME content of products were determined. The highest FAME conversion of 92.06% was obtained using 15% Novozyme435 at 30°C. The suitable methanol to oil ratio and incubation time was 4.5 to 1 and 24 hr, respectively. The optimum condition for alkali method was 120 min of reaction time, 6 to 1 of methanol to oil ratio with 1.0% base on oil mass of sodium hydroxide at 60°C. The maximum yield of FAME using sodium hydroxide as a catalyst was 97.83% at the optimum condition. Measuring specification requirements of biodiesel properties illustrated that characteristics of trans esterified biodiesel were improved as compared with the crude jatropha oil. Density at 15°C was 892.2 kg/m³ for lipase-catalyzed process and 889.8 kg/m³ for alkali-catalyst process. Viscosity at 40°C of lipase- and alkali- catalysis was found 6.948 cSt and 4.79 cSt, respectively. Acid number of biodiesel using biocatalyst was higher than biodiesel using alkali catalyst (1.83 mgKOH/g and 0.34 mgKOH/g, respectively). Consequently, alkali catalyst for transesterification was successfully capable to manufacture biodiesel from jatropha oil and immobilized lipase transesterification requires refining process before it can be employed in diesel engines. While the temperature conditions and water requirement are lower of enzymes the FAME content reaction time and cost of enzyme (re-use of enzyme) should be further studied before it can be used in practical production. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. FB-09-01 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology (FB) |
| Chairperson(s) | Rakshit, Sudip Kumar; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Athapol Noomhorm;Yakupitiyage, Amararatne; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |