Extraction of castor oil from castor seed for optimization of biodiesel production

This research was carried out to optimize biodiesel production from castor oil using 2(4) full factorial central composite design (CCD). Transesterification method was used for the biodiesel production from castor using KOH & NaOH were used as catalysts. Physico-chemical properties including density, kinematic viscosity, acid value, saponification value, iodine value and pour point. The results were determined both on the castor oil and biodiesel produced. The predicted optimum conditions for the production of castor oil biodiesel are; reaction time of 60 minutes at the temperature of 60 degrees C, catalyst concentration of 3.5 g and a methanol /oil molar ratio of 5:1. The biodiesel yield was 99.76% and the result of the measured properties of biodiesel was compared with the international standards of EN14214 and ASTM D6751. The weight composition of the fatty acid and methyl ester were both determined by the Gas Chromatography (GCMS)