Analysis and optimisation of transesterification parameters for high-yield Garcinia Gummi-Gutta biodiesel using RSM and TLBO

ABSTRACT

The consumption of fossil fuels is continuously increasing due to large number of automobiles and high demand for energy. Fossil fuels will not only become extinct in near future, but also pollute the environment. The present research work is focused on finding an eco-friendly alternate energy source through the production of bio-diesel. Naturally available low-cost Garcinia Gummi-Gutta seed was used to produce the biodiesel employing the transesterification process widely utilised in industries. The maximum biodiesel yield was primarily dependent on the optimisation of transesterification parameters (reaction time, percent of methanol and sodium hydroxide). Response Surface Methodologies (RSM) such as Box-Behnken design (BBD) and Central composite design (CCD) were used to conduct the experiments and analyse the transesterification parameters relationship with biodiesel yield. Results showed that, the methanol contribution was more as compared to sodium hydroxide and reaction time towards the yield of the biodiesel. The mathematical regression equations developed, related to biodiesel yield and transesterification parameters by utilising both the CCD and BBD models. The performance of BBD was found to be slightly better than that of CCD in making prediction of the biodiesel yield. Experimentally, the Teaching Learning-based Optimisation (TLBO) determined optimal transesterification parameters resulting to 96.2% biodiesel yield.

KEYWORDS:

• Garcinia Gummi-Gutta seed
• biodiesel
• transesterification
• CCD
• BBD
• TLBO

Acknowledgements

The authors are pleased to acknowledge that the work reported in this paper was supported by Visveswaraya Technological University, Belagavi, related to Competitive Research Fund (Reference: VTU/TEQIP 3/2019/321) under TEQIP Program.

Disclosure statement

There is no potential conflict of interest in publishing this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the VTU Competitive Research Fund [VTU/TEQIP 3/2019/321].

Notes on contributors

BS Ajith

Ajith B S received his B. E. in Mechanical Engineering from Rajeev Institute of Technology, Hassan, India and M. Tech. in Thermal Power Engineering from VTU Post Graduation Centre, Mysuru, India in 2013 and 2015, respectively. Currently pursuing his Ph. D in Bio Fuels and IC Engines at Visveswaraya Technological University, Belagavi, India. He is working at present as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, Mangaluru, India. His research interests include Bio Fuels, IC Engines, Combustion and Heat Transfer. He is the Coordinator of Advanced Energy Research Laboratory which is located at Mechanical Department, SCEM Mangaluru. He has published 6 publications in International Journals, 8 articles in International/National Conferences, received 8 grants from the different funding agencies.

MC Math

M. C. Math received his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Karnataka University Dharwad, India and M. Tech. in Thermal Power Engineering from Visveswaraya Technological University, Belagavi, India, in 1996 and 2006, respectively. He received his Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering from JNTU, Hyderabad, India in 2013. Presently he is working as Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Visvesvaraya Technological University, P.G. Centre, Mysuru, India. His total experience (Teaching, Research, and Administration) extends over a period of 19 years. His research interests include Bio Fuels, IC Engines, Renewable Energy sources and Heat Transfer. He is the Coordinator of Biodiesel Fuel Testing and Internal Combustion Engine Lab which is located at Mechanical Department, VTU PG Centre, Mysuru. He has published around 40 publications in various International/National Journals, 9 articles in International/National Conferences, 8 books, received 10 grants from the different funding agencies.

Manjunath Patel GC

Manjunath Patel G C received his B. E. in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru National College of Engineering, Shivamogga, India and M. Tech. in Production Management from KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi, India in 2009 and 2011, respectively. He received his Ph. D in Mechanical Engineering from National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India in 2015. He is working at present as Asst. Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of PES Institute of Technology and Management, Shivamogga, India. His research interests include modelling and simulation of mechanical systems, statistical and soft computing tools. He has published around 40 publications in various International Journals, 16 articles in International/National Conferences, 1 book and 6 book chapters.

Mahesh B Parappagoudar

Mahesh B. Parappagoudar completed his engineering graduation in Industrial & Production Engineering from B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology, Hubli, affiliated to Karnataka University, Dharwad. He obtained his Master of Engineering degree in Production Management from Gogte Institute of Technology, affiliated to Karnataka University, Dharwad, India, in 1996. He joined Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 2004 as a research scholar, in the mechanical engineering department under the quality improvement program funded by MHRD, Govt. of India. Further, he obtained his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur - 721302, India in 2008. Presently he is working as the principal and professor in Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, affiliated to Goa University, Verna Goa, India. His total experience (Industry, Teaching, Research, and Administration) extends over a period of 28 years. His biography (distinguished personality) is published in the 30^th edition of Marquis Who’s Who in the world 2013. His research interests include application of statistical and soft computing tools in manufacturing and industrial engineering.