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Influence of Methanol Solvent and Alkali Catalyst on Biodiesel Production from Cottonseed Oil
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of methanol solvent and alkali catalyst on biodiesel production from cottonseed oil. Utilizing local cottonseed oil from Ethiopia, the research focuses on optimizing the methanol-to-oil molar ratio and catalyst concentration to maximize biodiesel yield. The transesterification process was conducted with varying methanol-to-oil ratios (5:1, 6:1, 7:1) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations (0.5 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%). Results indicated that a 6:1 methanol-to-oil ratio and 1 wt.% NaOH at 65 °C yielded an average biodiesel output of 98.25%. Methanol outperformed than ethanol and butanol by producing higher biodiesel yields. Besides, catalyst (NaOH) concentration is crucial for better yield, while deviations led to soap formation or incomplete reactions. In other words, moderate temperatures (55-65 °C) were seen optimal as higher temperatures (eg.,75 °C) caused methanol evaporation, reducing yield. Moreover, methanol's low cost, high reactivity, and ease of recovery, combined with NaOH's efficiency in catalyzing the reaction, were key factors in achieving high yields. This research underscores the importance of precise optimization in biodiesel production, contributing to sustainable energy solutions and promoting the use of regional agricultural resources. Future studies should explore pretreatment of cottonseed oil to further enhance the sustainability and economic viability of biodiesel production.
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