Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, 2 Eylul Campus, 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey

---

Abstract: Within the scope of this research, biodiesel production from olive pomace oil (OPO) was investigated. Esterification and transesterification reactions were carried out using a microwave synthesis unit in the presence of H2SO4 and KOH as a catalyst, respectively. The acidity index (AI) of the oil was reduced from 20 to 0.78 mg KOH/g oil by an esterification reaction to avoid saponification during the transesterification process. Suitable esterification reaction parameters were determined as 65°C, for 40 minutes with a methanol:oil molar ratio of 8:1 in the presence of 2.5% (wt. %) catalyst (H2SO4). The highest fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content of the biodiesel (98.56%) was determined by the transesterification at 65°C for 5 min, using a 7:1 methanol:oil molar ratio, and 1.5 wt. % KOH catalyst. Found results are consistent with the EN14214 standard.

---