title: Optimization of ethyl ester production assisted by ultrasonic irradiation.
abstract: This study presents the optimization of the continuous flow potassium hydroxide-catalyzed synthesis of ethyl ester from palm oil with ultrasonic assistance. The process was optimized by application of factorial design and response surface methodology. The independent variables considered were ethanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature and ultrasonic amplitude; and the response was ethyl ester yield. The results show that ethanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, and ultrasonic amplitude have positive effect on ethyl ester yield, whereas reaction temperature has negative influence on ethyl ester yield. Second-order models were developed to predict the responses analyzed as a function of these three variables, and the developed models predicts the results in the experimental ranges studied adequately. This study shows that ultrasonic irradiation improved the ethyl ester production process to achieve ethyl ester yields above 92%.
authors.affiliation: Energy Field of Study, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, KlongLuang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand. Electronic address: Kate-Natee.Noipin@ait.ac.th.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Noipin
authors.affiliation: Energy Field of Study, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, KlongLuang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002384:Catalysis; D004952:Esters / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D015233:Models, Statistical; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D006878:Hydroxides; D010938:Plant Oils; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D000073878:Palm Oil; C029943:potassium hydroxide
keywords: Biodiesel; Ethyl ester; Optimization; Palm oil; Ultrasonic