Optimization of supercritical dimethyl carbonate (SCDMC) technology for the production of biodiesel and value-added glycerol carbonate

In the present study, biodiesel has been successfully produced from triglycerides and dimethyl carbonate, instead of the conventional alcohol. In this non-catalytic supercritical dimethyl carbonate (SCDMC) technology, valuable compound of glycerol carbonate is obtained as side product, rather than the undesirable glycerol. Glycerol carbonate has higher commercial value compared to glycerol and its application in industries is enormous. In this optimization study, the effects of important parameters including reaction temperature, molar ratio of dimethyl carbonate to oil and reaction time were investigated and optimized by employing response surface methodology (RSM) analysis. It was found that the mathematical model developed was statistically significant and adequate to predict the optimum yield. The optimum conditions for SCDMC process was found to be 380 °C for reaction temperature, 39:1 mol/mol of dimethyl carbonate to oil molar ratio and 30 min of reaction time to obtain 91% optimum yield of biodiesel.