Advances in Environmental Research

Volume 1, Number 3, 2012, pages 191-199

DOI: 10.12989/aer.2012.1.3.191

Non-thermal effects of microwaves and kinetics on the transesterification of soybean oil

Ming-Chien Hsiao, Pei-Hung Liao and Li-Wen Chang

Abstract

A kinetic study of the transesterification of soybean oil was conducted using microwaves under various temperatures, power densities, and reaction times. Results show that power density affects the kinetics and yield. The biodiesel yield increased with increasing microwave power density. The non-thermal effects of microwave irradiation on transesterification reactions were evaluated at a constant reaction temperature (65

Key Words

biodiesel; transesterification; microwave; non-thermal effects; kinetics

Address

Ming-Chien Hsiao and Pei-Hung Liao: Department of Environmental Engineering, Kun Shan University, Tainan City, Taiwan; Li-Wen Chang: Department of Materials Engineering, Kun Shan University, Tainan City, Taiwan