Performance, Evaluation and Optimization of Biodiesel from Desert Date Oil Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Growing instability in conventional fuel, and mounting environmental concerns have stirred up interest in renewable diesel substitutes. This study investigates the production of biodiesel from desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) seed oil through alkaline-catalyzed transesterification and statistically optimizes the process using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a Central Composite Design (CCD). The influence of catalyst concentration (0.1-0.7 wt%), reaction time (35-65 min), and methanol-to-oil molar ratio (1:1-10:1) on biodiesel yield were investigated. The extracted oil showed a saponification value of 196.98 mgKOH/g, iodine value of 7.42I2/100 g, and density of 0.904 g/cm3, indicating good suitability for biodiesel synthesis. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of the quadratic model (F=40.82, P˂0.0001), with methanol ratio and catalyst concentration identified as dominant factors. Optimal conditions (0.4 wt% catalyst,65 min reaction time, 6:1 methanol ratio) yielded 98.33% biodiesel, with strong agreement between predicted and experimental values. The findings demonstrate the technical viability of desert date oil as a sustainable non-edible biodiesel feedstock