9-10: Biodiesel from Canola oil using a 1:1 mole mixture of methanol and ethanol

Canola oil was transesterified using a 1:1 mole mixture of methanol and ethanol (M/E) with potassium hydroxide (KOH) catalyst. Effect of catalyst concentration (0.5 to 1.5 % wt/wt), mole ratio of M/E to canola oil (3:1 to 20:1) and reaction temperature (25 to 75 °C) on the percentage yield measured after 2.5 and 5.0 minutes were optimized using a central composite design. Maximum percentage yield of 98 % was predicted for catalyst concentration of 1.1 wt % and M/E to canola oil mole ratio of 20:1 at 25 °C at 2.5 minutes, whereas a maximum percentage yield of 99 % was predicted for a catalyst concentration of 1.15 wt % and all mole ratios of reactants at 25 °C at 5 minutes. Statistical analysis demonstrated that, increasing catalyst concentration and mole ratio of reactants resulted in curvilinear and linear trends in percentage yield, both at 2.5 minutes and 5 minutes. However, reaction temperature, which affected percentage yield at 2.5 minutes linearly, was insignificant at 5 minutes. The resultant mixed methyl/ethyl canola esters exhibited enhanced low temperature performance and lubricity properties in comparison to neat canola oil methyl esters and also satisfied ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214 standards with respect to oxidation stability, kinematic viscosity, and acid value.