Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Siberian Apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) Oil Using Response Surface Methodology

Response surface methodology, with central composite rotatable design, was used to explore optimum conditions for the transesterification of Siberian apricot oil. The effect of five-level four factors and their reciprocal interactions were studied. A total of 30 experiments was conducted and designed to study the effect of catalyst concentration, methanol/oil molar ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time on the biodiesel yield. A second-order polynomial regression model was fitted and found adequate with R-2 of 0.9942. When the transesterification was carded out at 67 degrees C, with a 7.3:1 methanol/oil molar ratio to Siberian apricot oil, a reaction time of 60 min and a catalyst amount of 1.18 % wt, the conversion of Siberian apricot oil was 92.9 %, The most fuel properties of Siberian apricot methyl esters were found to be within the EN 14214-2005 and ASTM D6751-2003 biodiesel standards.