Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Jojoba Oil

The use of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), produced from agricultural oils as a fuel in diesel engines has been proposed as an alternative to diesel from fossil resources. Vegetable oils are produced from numerous oil seed crops. Of the several renewable sources and yet not widely known, jojoba oil appears to be promising scope for cultivation in arid and semi arid areas. The chemical structure of jojoba oil allows its use as a constituent in many lubricating oil formulation. In the present work, the process of synthesis of methyl esters from jojoba oil as alternative vegetable oil, using a basic catalyst, has been developed and optimized by application of the Factorial Design and Response Surface Methodology. According to this study, the maximum yield of esters (83.5%) can be obtained, working at the maximum level of initial concentration of catalyst (1.35%) and a medium level for the operation temperature (25°C). The model has been proven to adequately describe the experimental range studied and allows to scale-up the process.