Optimization of Production Parameters of Tobacco Seed Oil Methyl Ester using Multi-Response Taguchi Method and MANOVA

Abstract

There is a growing recognition that using of biodiesel in large commercial systems based on sustainability, existing resources and residues can help to natural resources. Tobacco seed oil (TSO) is also used for biodiesel production as a non-edible vegetable oil. A crude oil was obtained from tobacco seeds (TS) and then tobacco seed oil methyl ester-TSOME (biodiesel) was obtained by a transesterification process. In this study, we aimed to achieve optimal biodiesel properties based on different factors using multi response Taguchi method and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The purpose of the process was to meet a European Biodiesel Standard EN 14214. Properties of the biodiesel (responses) were determined as methyl ester quantity, kinematic viscosity, density, flash point of methyl ester and freezing point of methyl ester. The factors (production parameters) were chosen such as catalyst type, alcohol/oil molar ratio, reaction temperature and catalyst amount for experiment design. The factors that influenced the desired properties were determined using MANOVA. The factors' level was obtained using a multi response Taguchi method. We found that catalyst type and catalyst amount have a significant effect on the responses and their levels must be level 1(KOH) and level 3 (1.5%) respectively. Thereby the methods provided to produce biodiesel meet requirements of the standard with minimum cost and in short time.