Biodiesel from Bay Laurel Oil via Compressed Methanol Transesterification

Abstract

In the present work, oils from the leaves and fruits of bay laurel, Laurus nobilis L (Lauraceae) were converted into fatty acid methyl esters or biodiesel by transesterification reaction in supercritical methanol without using the catalyst. Experiments have been carried out in a pressure-proof reaction vessel (autoclave) preheated at 493, 523, and 593 K, and with molar ratios of 1:6–1:41 of the bay laurel oil to methanol. The most important variables affecting the methyl ester yield during transesterification reaction are the molar ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil and reaction temperature. The yield of alkyl ester increased with increasing the molar ratio of oil to alcohol in the supercritical methanol transesterification method. Average oil content of the leaves and fruits of bay laurel samples used in the experiments were 7 and 20% by weight, respectively. Dominant fatty acid contents of bay laurel leaves and bay laurel fruits were lauric (26.1 and 18.3%), palmitic (25.6 and 21.8%), and oleic (10.6 and 30.9%), respectively.