Production of biodiesel from palm kernel oil through base-catalyzed trans-esterification process

Thomas Olawale OLATUNDUN 1, *, V.A POPOOLA 2, Peter Dayo FAKOYEDE 3, David Opeyemi ADEBAYO 4, Ekunseitan Deji KEHINDE 5, Qudus Adebayo ADETORO 6, Odion Beston AKHABUE 7, Cornelius Enabulele EWEMADE 8, Ogheneochuko OKPAKO 9 and Peace Ebubechukwu ANYALEBECHI 10

1 Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Industrial Chemistry, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
4 Department of English, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko Ondo State, Nigeria.
5 Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, University of Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria.
6 Department of Pure and Applied Sciences Biochemistry, Kwara State University, Nigeria.
7 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin, Edo State Nigeria.
8 Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
9 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin, Edo State Nigeria.
10 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University, Uli Anambra State, Nigeria.
 

 

Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(01), 2054-2081
Article DOI10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.1.2093
 
Publication history: 
Received on 01 June 2024; revised on 15 July 2024; accepted on 17 July 2024
 
Abstract: 
Growing concerns about environmental problems associated with fuels have engineered so much research into biofuels, such as biodiesel. However, continuous and large-scale production of biodiesel from edible oil could result in serious food security problems if cheap and viable alternatives are not made available. To solve this problem, oil was obtained from non-food/ underutilized seeds of palm kernel using Soxhlet apparatus. Physicochemical properties and fatty acids composition of these oils were determined using standard analytical and instrumental methods. Biodiesel was processed from these oils via sequential base (KOH) homogeneous catalysis. Fuel properties of biodiesel from the oil were determined using standard methods and the results obtained were compared with standards. Oil yields were found to be 37.6% for palm kernel seed respectively. Physicochemical properties of palm kernel oil respectively are: saponification value:(115.00)mg KOH/g, acid value(4.488)mgKOH/g, free fatty acid value (2.244)mg/KOH/viscosity:(29)mm2/s, moisture content: (0.46)%, peroxide value:(3.12)meqkg-1,refractive index:(1.455), specific gravity (0.899)g/cm. Fuel properties of biodiesel from palm kernel seed oil respectively are: Kinematic viscosity at 40oc: (nil) mm2/s, smoke point (100oc), flash point(90oc),fire point:(150oc),pour point(nil) and cloud point:(nil).The physicochemical properties of the biodiesel produced showed that the flash point, viscosity, density, ash content, percentage carbon content, specific gravity and the acid value fell within American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications for biodiesel. Therefore, the biodiesel produced from the oil significantly met standard quality requirements.
 
Keywords: 
Biodiesel; Palm Kernel oil; Trans-esterification; Base catalyst; Yield optimization; Sustainable energy; Alternative fuel; Environmental impact; Fuel properties.
 
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