Optimization of solid base-catalyzed synthesis of biodiesel from cottonseed oil by response surface methodology

Na3PO4/MgO was prepared as a catalyst and was characterized by XRD and IR.Structure characterization results showed that the catalytic activity was related to Na3PO4 crystalline phase.With biodiesel conversion rate as an index,the transesterification conditions from cottonseed oil to biodiesel were investigated using Na3PO4/MgO catalysis.The quadratic orthogonal rotation design with four factors was used to study the effect of parameters on biodiesel conversion rate by response surface methodology.The optimal conditions of transesterification were obtained as follows:reaction time 3 h,reaction temperature 71℃,molar ratio of methanol to oil 15∶1,catalyst dosage 5.5%.Under the optimal conditions,the biodiesel conversion rate reached 96.32%.