Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Manuscript Number: processes-918254

Title: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for Biodiesel Synthesis Catalyzed by Radiation-Induced Kenaf Catalyst in Packed-Bed Reactor

Authors: Nur Haryani Zabaruddin, Luqman Chuah Abdullah, Nor Hasimah Mohamed and Thomas Choong Shean Yaw

Report Date: August, 27 2020

 

COMMENTS:

This manuscript explores in detail the. I found this paper informative, interesting and quite readable and deserves to be published in PROCESSES. Regarding the statistical analysis, the authors have carried out the pertinent calculations, providing the necessary information for its understanding. Although I recommend acceptance, some revisions are also suggested.

ISSUE 1: Large-scale production

The experimental design is original. The other hand, concerning biodiesel production, authors should justify whether their proposal is of application to industrial scale. Do the authors think that it would be possible to design an experimental device similar to proposed in order to produce biodiesel on an industrial scale?

ISSUE 2: Biodiesel characterization

Regarding the experimentation and contribution of results, a more complete characterization of the output product is recommended. In this case, biodiesel. As they are fatty acid ethyl esters, it would be advisable to follow the American standard ASTM D6751, since the European standard is only valid for fatty acid methyl esters. The properties that should be provided, at least, would be density, viscosity, flash point, glyceride concentrations and cold flow properties.

ISSUE 3: Conclusion section

In the “conclusion section”, no experimental results should be provided, they should be discussed in “results and discussion” section.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

 

The article deals with optimisation of transesterification of refined palm oil into biodiesel in packed-bed reactor utilizing a bio-based heterogeneous catalyst derived from kenaf fiber fabricated by radiation-induced graft polymerisation. The article needs extensive modification. I have pointed out a few:

1.  Authors failed to discuss relevant studies on optimisation of transesterification, catalyst use and packed bed reactor operation. 
2. The lack of literature survey resulted in not being able to identify the novelty of the current work.

3. Authors are encouraged to discuss relevant following works:

doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2020.00101

doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2014.01.037

4. Please discuss sow SEM and EDX were performed.

5. The discussion section needs to discuss the results in relation to existing literature specially section 3.6, 3.7. Results and discussion section is very poor.

6. Please rewrite the conclusion mentioning the significance of results. 

7. The English and grammar need to be thoroughly checked throughout the manuscript.

 

 

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

A recommendation file has been attached.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

It is interesting to find out that authors just answered to the comments without addressing those expecting that the reviewer will not go through all the corrections. I strongly recommend authors to address all previous comments properly and not cherry-picking while addressing. Also rewrite the abstract including more results from chosen parameters. 

Author Response

"Please see the attachment."

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors have successfully applied my comments. Therefore, I accept this manuscript in the present form.

Author Response

We appreciate the kindness of the Reviewer in helping improve the manuscript. Thank you for accepting our manuscript.

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

 

 

This article can now be accepted for publication