Enhancing Biodiesel Production from Nyamplung Oil: Kinetic Analysis of Transesterification via Electromagnetic Induction Heating

In the quest for sustainable and environmentally friendly biofuels, Calophyllum inophyllum L., commonly known as Nyamplung, presents a promising feedstock due to its high oil content (75%) and a significant proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (approximately 71%). Notably, the oil extracted from this species exhibits higher viscosity and reduced capillarity compared to conventional kerosene, posing unique challenges for biodiesel conversion. This study explores the efficacy of electromagnetic induction heating as a novel transesterification method to produce biodiesel from Nyamplung oil. The process was optimized across a range of temperatures (45-65°C), reaction times (0.43-1.03 minutes), methanol to oil molar ratios (6:1), and a catalyst concentration of KOH at 2% of the total weight of oil and methanol. The conversion of Nyamplung oil into biodiesel was primarily assessed through the formation of methyl esters, with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) employed for analytical verification. A comprehensive kinetic analysis revealed a transesterification reaction rate constant of rT=6.46×1014e(-1,068.93/RT) [ME], indicating an activation energy requirement of 1,068 kJ/mol at the operational peak temperature of 65°C. This activation energy is notably lower than that observed with microwave heating, suggesting electromagnetic induction as a more efficient heating mechanism for this reaction. The findings underscore the potential of electromagnetic induction heating in enhancing the conversion efficiency of high-viscosity feedstocks like Nyamplung oil into biodiesel, offering a promising avenue for the production of renewable energy sources. The detailed evaluation of reaction kinetics and activation energies within this study not only contributes to the optimization of biodiesel production processes but also reinforces the viability of Calophyllum inophyllum L. as a sustainable biofuel precursor.