Transesterification Kinetics, Physicochemical Analysis, and Fuel Properties of Biodiesel Extracted from Madhuca indica Seeds

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 8, No. 5, May 2017 | pp. 33–40

DOI: 10.46882/2017/IJC/000104

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Transesterification Kinetics, Physicochemical Analysis, and Fuel Properties of Biodiesel Extracted from Madhuca indica Seeds

Names of Authors: M. C. Okonkwo¹, T. A. Prasetyo²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Industrial Chemistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemical Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Abstract: Exploring alternative renewable fuel profiles derived from non-edible botanical seeds is crucial to sustain expanding transport grids while preserving food crop resources. This study focuses on the transesterification optimization and kinetic modeling of biodiesel production from crude Madhuca indica (Mahua) seed oil. Due to an elevated initial free fatty acid content (5.84 mg KOH/g), a two-step acid-base catalyzed transesterification route was deployed. The first step reduced the acid value below 1.0 mg KOH/g using 1.2% v/v sulfuric acid in methanol, followed by a base-catalyzed transesterification with potassium hydroxide (KOH). Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield was optimized at 93.8% using a 6:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, a catalyst concentration of 1.0 wt% KOH, and a process temperature of 60°C for 90 minutes. Kinetic analysis established that the transesterification process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with an activation energy of 41.5 kJ/mol. Fuel properties of the prepared biodiesel, including kinematic viscosity (4.32 mm²/s at 40°C), flash point (164°C), and cetane number (53), matched international ASTM D6751 regulatory specifications, showing its structural viability as a clean fuel feedstock.

Keywords: Madhuca indica; Biodiesel; Transesterification; Reaction kinetics; Activation energy; Fuel properties

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 02, 2016; Revised: August 14, 2016; Accepted: September 10, 2016; Published: May 05, 2017.

Citation: Okonkwo, M. C., & Prasetyo, T. A. (2017). Transesterification Kinetics, Physicochemical Analysis, and Fuel Properties of Biodiesel Extracted from Madhuca indica Seeds. International Journal of Chemistry, 8(5), 33–40.

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