TAGUCHI BASED GREY RELATIONAL ANALYSIS TO OPTIMIZE CEPHALARIA SYRIACA BIODIESEL PRODUCTION AND KINEMATIC VISCOSITY

Abstract

Cephalaria syriaca (Turkish Pelemir) seed oil is edible oil which is not used as cooking oil our country. The current work it was aimed to maximize the yields of biodiesel production from Pelemir seed oil (PSO) by using the grey based taguchi method and at the same time to keep the kinematic viscosity values between the nominal limits. This study presents joined effect of four input parameters (factors) such as catalyst concentration (A), molar ratio of oil to methanol (molar ratio) (B), reaction temperature (C) and reaction time (D) in controlling two significant performance parameters (responses) yields of biodiesel (y(1)) and kinematic viscosity (y(2)). Orthogonal array was used for the design of experiments on the principle of L9. Taguchi technique was coupled with grey relational analysis to obtain a grey relational grade for evaluating multiple outputs. Grey relational analysis in the Taguchi technique was employed for determining the best combination values of input parameters. It was found that A(1)B(3)C(3)D(3) (0.5%, 12:1, 60 degrees C, 80 min) optimal parametric combination.