The Optimization of the Esterification Reaction in Biodiesel Production from Trap Grease

Resitoglu, Ibrahim Aslan

In this experimental study, biodiesel production from waste oils (trap grease), which were obtained from an oil separator, was carried out by using sulfuric acid as the catalyst and esterification process. The main variables involved in the esterification process, including methanol/waste cooking oils ratio, amount of acid catalyst, reaction time, and reaction temperature, were analyzed. Because the waste cooking oils contain high free fatty acid above 65%, the esterification process has been preferred. Methanol was used as alcohol in this process because of its low cost, and sulfuric acid was preferred as the catalyst because it gives very high yields in alkyl esters. Experiments have been performed to determine optimum conditions for this esterification process in different molar ratios,...