Effect of mixed alcohol reactants on ultrasonic alcoholysis of canola oil

The effect of ultrasonic irradiation energy was analyzed according to the kinds of alcohol in the ultrasonic alcoholysis. The ultrasonic irradiation energy density of ethanol (792.9 kJ/L) is higher than methanol (649.8 kJ/L). The optimum mixing ratio of canola oil, methanol and ethanol was proven as 1, 5 and 1, respectively. Also the optimum reaction conditions for the ultrasonic alcoholysis were a reaction temperature of 60 °C, ultrasonic irradiation power of 500 W, reaction time of 50 min, and alkaline catalyst (KOH) content of 0.6 wt.%. From these results, the optimum alcohol mixing ratio and the optimum process conditions were determined, with good quality biodiesel being manufactured.