Influence of catalyst amount and alcohol-seed ratio on the production of bio-diesel from raw castor oil bean seed using in-situ technique

Trans-esterification is the most commonly used methods of biodiesel production. In-situ trans-esterification process uses oil (triglycerides) in seeds directly without the need for initial extraction. The in-situproduction of biodiesel from raw castor bean seed with a batch processor was studied at initial catalyst quantity of 0.1, 0.5 and 1.5%, reaction time of 30, 60 and 90 min with a reaction temperature of 600C and alcohol seed ratio of 1:1 using the response surface methodology. Initial catalyst concen-tration and reaction time were subjected to central composite experimental design of the response surface methodology. Initial catalyst quantity and reaction time were found to have significant (P