Investigation of Kinetics of Transesterification for Methyl Ester Production using Jatropha Curcas Seedoil

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue IV, April 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Investigation of Kinetics of Transesterification for Methyl Ester Production using Jatropha Curcas Seedoil

Yunus, M.M.
Department of Chemistry, Yobe State University KM 7, Gujba Road, P.M.B.1144 Damaturu, Nigeria

Abstract:- In this work, transesterification of Jatropha curcas seedoil using homogeneous catalyst (NaOH) was conducted in a reactor with methanol. The transesterification reaction at 6:1methanol to oil ratio with 1wt% catalyst was studied at 35oc, 40oc, 45oc, 50oc and 55oc.The study attempted to determine the rate of transesterification of Jatropha curcas seed oil (JSO) by measuring the rate of formation of methyl oleate using GC-MS technique. The concentration of the product (methyl-oleate) will be monitored by measuring the peak area of GC-MS chromatogram. A kinetic model together with relevant parameters like reaction order, rate constants and Arrhenius parameters would be estimated. The data generated was used to test for first, second and third order kinetics. The process reveals that, the first order kinetics model doesn’t apply for the first three working temperatures of 35oc to 45oc showing negative rate constant (k) values of -0.146, -0.141 and -0.131mol/second, while for the transesterification process at 50oc and 55oc, rate constant values are 0.132 and 0.115 respectively. A general decrease in the reaction rate with increase in temperature was observed. The transesterification process didn’t proceed in accordance with the Arrhenius equation. This means, although the kinetic model and rates of constants were determined, the activation energy (E) and the frequency factor (A) couldn’t be estimated for the process.

Keywords: Jatropha seedoil, GC-MS technique, Kinetic model, JSOME’s and Conc-Time Data

I. INTRODUCTION

There is a growing realization that, the world reserve of the fossil fuels is finite and its depletion is eminent sooner than latter given the fact that consumption of fossil fuels far outstrips the discovery of new reserves. The world would be confronted with energy crisis not only due to fossil fuel depletion but environmental degradation as well (Fazal et al., 2011). Increase in population globally and rapid industrialization to meet human demands has led to enormous energy utilization. It is a fact that the demand for petroleum is on the increase daily, possibly due to increasing world population and the quest for better living standard (Demirbas, 2010; Tomomatsu and Swallow, 2007). More so, most of the needed services that enhances our standard of living are energy dependant, thus their optimal delivery can only be achieved through sufficient energy supply.

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