Biodiesel Production of Capparis Spinosa Oil via Trans-Esterification Reaction by Using NaOH Catalyst and Its Pilot Synthesis Design

Abstract

Energy obtained from renewable sources has increased its participation in the energy matrix worldwide, and it is expected to maintain this tendency. Both in large and small scales, there have been numerous developments and research with the aim of generating fuels and energy using different raw materials such as alternative crops, algae and waste cooking oil. Capparis spinosa seed (containing 32% triglycerides) is used as an excellent source for biodiesel production. In this work, biodiesel (Fatty acid methyl ester) is produced by trans-esterification of Capparis spinosa oil, in the presence of methanol and sodium hydroxide as an alkaline catalyst. According to data collection, pilot of biodiesel production is simulated by using HYSYS v3.2 software. The yield of biodiesel in the presence of sodium hydroxide was considered 94%. The results of FTIR and GC-MS spectra showed trans-esterification reaction has been complete. According to the results, the produced biodiesel is in the range of ASTM Standard.