Synthesis of biodiesel through transesterification of castor oil catalyzed by barium hydroxide

Biodiesel was prepared from castor oil through the transesterification of the crude oil with methanol using barium hydroxide as a heterogeneous base catalyst.The yields were compared between barium hydroxide and other typical catalysts.The effects of the methanol/oil molar ratio,the concentration of catalyst,and the reaction time on the yield of biodiesel were investigated in detail.It was found that under the optimal reaction conditions,i.e.with methanol/oil molar ratio of 6∶1,oil/catalyst molar ratio of 10∶1,excellent biodiesel yield(98.35%) was obtained at reflux temperature for 20 min.