Effects of Reaction Time on Biodiesel Yield

The reaction time affects the conversion efficiency of the transesterification process of converting oil to biodiesel. In this study, the effect of reaction time at different time interval was examined on biodiesel yield for both alkali and acid transesterification. For alkali transesterification, the dependency of reaction time studied at different time intervals ranging from 0.5-6 hours revealed that about 2 hours of reaction was sufficient for the completion of the alkali transterification process and optimum conversion of oil to biodiesel (80%). For acid transesterifictation, reaction time was studied at time intervals ranging from 2-10 hours. About 8 hours of reaction was sufficient for the completion of acid transesterification and optimum conversion of oil to biodiesel (60%). Increase in reaction temperature speeds up the reaction rate and shortens the reaction time, hence, methyl ester yield increases with increase in reaction time. Further increase in reaction time beyond this point will subsequently lead to decrease in yield.