Parametric study and optimization of microwave assisted biodiesel synthesis from Argemone Mexicana oil using response surface methodology

Biodiesel production from nonedible feedstock is a viable alternative to fulfill the energy need and to reduce the emission from constraint fuel. Argemone Mexicana is a weed that grows in the arid zone and contains a high amount of non-edible oil makes it an ideal feedstock for biodiesel synthesis. The motive of the present study is to explore the transesterification of Argemone Mexicana oil using a microwave heat source and a Parametric study, following by optimization of biodiesel yield using response surface methodology employing central composite design. The quadratic model with a high value of R2 99, R2adj 97.60 revealed good agreement with the actual AOME yield. The optimized operating parameters such as temperature, catalyst amount, time, and methanol to oil molar ratio were found to be 58.8 degrees C, 1.03 wt%, 3.56 min, and 9.54:01 respectively. The predicted yield of 99.28 wt% was in close agreement with an actual yield of 99.03%. The study reveals that catalyst amount, temperature, time, and methanol to oil molar ratio have a significant effect on microwave-assisted transesterification of Argemone oil. Argemone oil methyl esters (AOME) exhibit property close to ASTM standards and it has the potential as an alternative to diesel.