Optimization of degummed Linum usitatissimum methyl ester from methanolysis as a potential resource for diesel engines

摘要

Studies were carried out on the methanolysisudof crude and degummed Linum usitatissimumudseed oil with methanol for methyl ester synthesis. Inudthis study, response surface methodology was appliedudin order to optimize the reaction factors for methyludester synthesis. The present work also studies the experimentaludconditions such as catalyst concentration,udmolar ratio (methanol:oil) and reaction time on theudconversion of Linum usitatissimum seed oil to methyludesters. The conversion was above 96.2% under theudcondition of 60 ºC, methanol-oil molar ratio of 8:1,udreaction time of 60 minutes and catalyst concentrationud(catalyst/oil) of 0.6 wt%. The resulting methyludesters (biodiesel) and its diesel blends were characterizedudfor basic fuel properties including density,udviscosity, cloud and pour point, flash and fire point,udcalorific value and acid value. The results show thatudthe enzymatic degummed Linum usitatissimum seedudoil used with a phosphorus (phospholipids) level ofud9.8 ppm provides an excellent methyl ester yield ofudover 96.2% and basic fuel properties of these blendsudare comparable to those of conventional diesel fuel atud20% of methyl esters concentrations.