Process Parameter Optimization in Jatropha Methyl Ester Yield Using Taguchi Technique |
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| Authors: | C. Sasikumar K. Balamurugan S. Rajendran S. Naveenkumar |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Erode, Tamilnadu, India;2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Road and Transport Technology, Erode, Tamilnadu, India;3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Guru Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India |
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| Abstract: | Among all alternate fuel sources available, the biodiesel of Jatropha curcas appears to be a potential fuel as it widely exists in Asia. The Jatropha methyl ester (JME) is produced by transesterification process. In the transesterification process, alkyl group of ester exchanges with that of an alcohol. This work focuses on optimizing various parameters like quantities of methanol, KOH, and stirrer speed, which influence high JME yield. Based on L9 orthogonal array, experiments are conducted by using Taguchi technique. All the nine combinations of L9 orthogonal array are experimentally done for extraction of JME, and then it is used for analysis in Taguchi technique. The analysis of maximum yield is done on the basis of “larger is better” signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio). The best combination in the L9 orthogonal array is found to be methanol (110 ml), KOH (1.306 gm), and stirrer speed (1200 rpm). The influence of methanol, KOH, and stirrer speed on the yield is found by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Based on the results of ANOVA, it is found that the influence of methanol, KOH, and stirrer speed on the yield are obtained as 70.10%, 20.35%, and 5.78%, respectively. |
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| Keywords: | ANOVA Jatropha methyl ester Taguchi technique Transesterification |
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