Process optimization for biodiesel production from cottonseed oil under supercritical condition by response surface methodology

The effects of reaction time,molar ratio of methanol to oil and catalyst dosage on the transesterification of cottonseed oil for producing biodiesel were investigated by a three-factor Box-Behnken design.The preparation technique parameters were optimized with response surface method.The optimum preparation parameters were as follows:reaction time: 27 minutes,molar ratio of methanol to oil∶26,catalyzer dosage:1.46% and reaction temperature:290 ℃.The prepared biodiesel has very similar index to the national standard in China.