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Experiment Title: TRANSESTERIFICATION PROCESS AND POST-

PROCESSING.

Aim: To optimize the Parameter of trans-esterification process for


Jatropha oil for the production of quality Bio-diesel

Instruments required:

 Trans-Esterification Reactor
 Pressure Gauge
 Safety Valve
 Control unit

Chemicals Required:

 Methanol
 Potassium Hydroxide catalyst

Theory:
In organic chemistry, transesterification is the process of exchanging the
organic group R″ of an ester with the organic group R′ of an alcohol. These
reactions are often catalysed by the addition of an acid or base catalyst. The
reaction can also be accomplished with the help of enzymes (biocatalysts)
particularly lipases.

Strong acids catalyse the reaction by donating a proton to the carbonyl group,
thus making it a more potent electrophile, whereas bases catalyse the reaction
by removing a proton from the alcohol, thus making it more nucleophilic. Esters
with larger alkoxy groups can be made from methyl or ethyl esters in high

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purity by heating the mixture of ester, acid/base, and large alcohol and
evaporating the small alcohol to drive equilibrium.

In the transesterification mechanism, the carbonyl carbon of the starting ester


(RCOOR1) undergoes nucleophilic attack by the incoming alkoxide (R 2O−) to
give a tetrahedral intermediate, which either reverts to the starting material, or
proceeds to the transesterified product (RCOOR2). The various species exist in
equilibrium, and the product distribution depends on the relative energies of the
reactant and product.

Procedure:
The purpose of the work to study biodiesel production by transesterification of
Jatropha oil using potassium hydroxide as a solid base catalyst.

o The extractor oil is fed into the reactor and methanol of measured content
along with KOH is added to the reactor and the lid is closed.
o Then the reactor stirs the reactor at the constant speed and the optimum
temperature is maintained in the reactor.
o The process is carried around 3-4 hours.
o Then the Biodiesel formation occurs in the reactor along with glycerol
and soap formation.
o Then the mixture is collected from the reactor and is allowed to settle for
some time.
o The Biodiesel will be separated from the glycerol.
o Inorder to separate soap from Biodiesel hot water is added and agitated to
separate soap in the form of Foam.

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o The Biodiesel is left with some amount of water and it is removed by
heating the Biodiesel
o Thus the Pure biodiesel is obtained.

The trans-esterification process is a reversible process and hence requires


accurate control of temperature, alcohol %, catalyst %, stirring speed & time for
reaction.

Flowchart of Trans-esterification Process:

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Optimized parameters are:

Optimized Parameter Values

Type of catalyst KOH

Amount of catalyst 1% of Oil


wt.

Type of alcohol Methanol

Methanol / Oil molar 6: 1


ratio

Reaction time 90 minutes

Reaction temperature 60OC

Conclusion:
 The amount of catalyst is 1% by weight.
 The optimal transesterification conditions were found to be reaction time
of 90 minutes.
 A molar ratio of oil to methanol 1:6 is optimised.
 1.0% KOH as catalyst to give a maximum conversion yield.
 Reaction temperature should be 60 OC.

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