Application of ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production process from Jatropha oil catalyzed by activated
carbon-supported tungstophosphoric acid catalyst was studied. Influences of ultrasonic energy on
different process variables were elucidated. Reaction variables i.e. reaction time (10e50 min), reactants’
molar ratio (5:1e25:1), ultrasonic amplitude (30e90% of the maximum sonifier power) and catalyst
amount (2.5e4.5 w/w oil) were studied. A mathematical representation for biodiesel yield was
successfully generated. A yield of 91% was achieved in just 40 min at a moderate ultrasonic amplitude
(w60%), high molar ratio (25:1) and low reaction temperature (65
C). Interactions between the variables
were also validated statistically. Leaching study revealed that the reaction was predominately heterogeneous in nature