Title: Multi-response optimisation of waste cooking oil transesterification for improved biodiesel yield and quality using RSM

Authors: Rohit Khatri; Om Prakash Jakhar

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering College Bikaner, Bikaner, Rajasthan – 334004, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering College Bikaner, Bikaner, Rajasthan – 334004, India

Abstract: This study presents a multi-response optimisation technique for the waste cooking oil biodiesel production process. The study's objective is to use the multi-response optimisation technique to find the optimal set of input parameters for the transesterification process for biodiesel yield and kinematic viscosity simultaneously. The experimental runs were developed using the box Behnken design (BBD) approach, and the multiple responses were analysed using response surface methodology (RSM). ANOVA was conducted to investigate the impact of parameters on the response. Chemical composition was determined by a GC-MS test, and the conversion of waste cooking oil (WCO) to esters was assessed using ¹HNMR and a FTIR test. The present study reports an impressive yield of 96.6% and a kinematic viscosity of 5.4 cSt for biodiesel production. The accuracy of the data was confirmed by determining R² values, which were found to be 97% and 94% for biodiesel yield and kinematic viscosity, respectively. [Received: September 22, 2024; Accepted: April 21, 2025]

Keywords: biodiesel; transesterification; multi-response optimisation; ANOVA; box Behnken design; BBD; Fourier-transform infrared; FTIR; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; GC-MS; ¹HNMR.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2026.153022

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2026 Vol.39 No.3, pp.368 - 391

Received: 11 Sep 2024
Accepted: 21 Apr 2025
Published online: 20 Apr 2026 *

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