Application of Taguchi Experimental Design for the
Optimization of Effective Parameters on the Rapeseed
Methyl Ester Production |
SunTae Kim1†, Bongbeen Yim2, and Youngtaek Park1 |
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Daejeon University, 96-3, Yongun-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon 300-716, Korea 2R&D Center, Envors Co., Ltd., 151-13, Birae-dong, Daeduk-gu, Daejeon 306-809, Korea |
Corresponding Author:
SunTae Kim ,Tel: +82-42-280-2534, Fax: +82-42-283-8283, Email: envsys@dju.kr |
Received: July 8, 2009; Accepted: July 27, 2010. |
|
Share :
|
ABSTRACT |
The optimization of experimental parameters, such as catalyst type, catalyst concentration, molar ratio of alcohol to oil and reaction
temperature, on the transesterification for the production of rapeseed methyl ester has been studied. The Taguchi approach (Taguchi
method) was adopted as the experimental design methodology, which was adequate for understanding the effects of the control parameters
and to optimize the experimental conditions from a limited number of experiments. The optimal experimental conditions
obtained from this study were potassium hydroxide as the catalyst, at a concentration of 1.5 wt %, and a reaction temperature of 60°C.
According to Taguchi method, the catalyst concentration played the most important role in the yield of rapeseed methyl ester. Finally,
the yield of rapeseed methyl ester was improved to 96.7% with the by optimal conditions of the control parameters which were obtained
by Taguchi method. |
Keywords:
Biodiesel | Taguchi method | Rapeseed oil | Transesterification reaction | Basic catalyst |
|
|
|