The application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) for modeling and optimization of the influence of three operating variables (mass of catalyst, MeOH/Oil molar ratio, and temperature) on performance of Reactive Vacuum Distillation (RVD) to increase biodiesel yield is discussed in this work. Changes in RVD performance during biodiesel production were evaluated by using RSM and CCRD. A mathematical equation to model biodiesel production by RVD was derived from computer simulation programming by applying a least squares method using MATLAB® v. R2016a. Predicted values were found to be in good agreement with experimental values (with R2 = 0.934). Optimal conditions for the production of ethyl esters were: Temperature: 31.2 °C, MeOH/Oil molar ratio: 5.65:1, and mass of catalyst: 0.1344 g.
