The optimization of methyl ester synthesis with canola oil transesterification

Biodiesel, defined as alkyl esters of fatty acids, is an alternative fuelthat has the characteristics of equivalent motor performance with dieselfuel and low emission degrees.The aim of this study is to determine the optimum reaction conditionsof canola oil methyl esters by investigating the parametres such astemperature, catalyst concentration ,alcohol ratio and reaction timeparameteres. Base catalized transesterification was choosen asbiodiesel production method. Method of purification with magnesiumsilicate was used to purify the biodiesel from impurities instead ofwater washing which is wide-spreadly used. It is named as ?drywashing?. Ester, linolenic, mono-, di-, triglyserid, free and total glyserin,viscosity, density, cold filter plugging and flash point analysis wascarried out for all samples. The optimum reaction conditions weredetermined as 55 oC, % 25 methanol, % 1,05 NaOH and 1 hour reactiontime as a result of analysis of experimental results. Under theseconditions maximum ester yield was determined as % 99,22.The results show that the biodiesel produced at optimum conditionsmeets the requirements of TS EN 14214 and also have the properties asgood as to take the place of diesel fuel.