Bench scale experiment
Biodiesel was produced based on bench scale by
transesterification of jatropha oil according to the
optimum reaction conditions obtained from laboratory
study with maximum yield of 98 % of methyl esters.
Transesterification of 2 kg of jatropha oil was carried
out in 4 L round flask placed in an adjusted temperature
water bath. The reaction was performed using 6:1 molar
ratio of alcohol to oil and catalyst concentration of 1 %
by weight of the oil at 65 º C under reflux condenser with
mechanical stirrer as illustrated in Fig. 1. After one hour
reaction time, the reaction mixture was carefully
transferred to a suitable separating funnel. Two layers
were separated after about 6 h; the upper layer is methyl
esters and the lower one is the glycerol containing layer