COMPARISON OF OPTIMUM REACTION PARAMETERS OF CORN OIL BIODIESELS PRODUCED BY USING SODIUM HYDROXIDE (NaOH) AND POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (KOH)

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to compare optimum reaction parameters of the lowest kinematic viscosity corn oil biodiesels which can be producible by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst and methanol (CH3OH) as alcohol by means of transesterification reaction. Therefore, the effects of main parameters influencing the transesterification reaction such as catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time, alcohol/oil molar ratio on the kinematic viscosities and densities of produced corn oil biodiesels were investigated. According to experimental results, optimum reaction parameters giving the lowest viscosity were determined as 0,90% catalyst concentration, 50 degrees C reaction temperature, 60 minutes reaction time and 9:1 alcohol/oil molar ratio for biodiesel produced by using sodium hydroxide, and, 1,10% catalyst concentration, 60 degrees C reaction temperature, 60 minutes reaction time and 9:1 alcohol/oil molar ratio for biodiesel produced by using potassium hydroxide. Also, fuel properties of each optimum biodiesels were found in accordance with EN ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214 standards.