Scientific Research and Essays

  • Abbreviation: Sci. Res. Essays
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-2248
  • DOI: 10.5897/SRE
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2768

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of palm-kernel oil biodiesel produced through NaOH-catalysed transesterification process

O. J. Alamu1*, T. A. Akintola2, C. C. Enweremadu3 and A. E. Adeleke1
  1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Agriculture, P. M. B 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 2Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ibogun Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria. 3Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 17 June 2008
  •  Published: 31 July 2008

Abstract

 

Palm kernel oil (PKO) biodiesel was produced through transesterification of PKO with ethanol using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) catalyst. The biodiesel was characterized as alternative fuel for diesel engine through ASTM standard fuel tests. The transesterification process using 100 g PKO, 20.0% ethanol (wt% PKO), 1.0% NaOH, 60oC reaction temperature and 90 min reaction time yielded average 95.8% PKO biodiesel for three replications. Fuel tests conducted on the biodiesel showed 85.06% reduction of viscosity over its raw PKO at 40oC.  Higher specific gravity, cloud and pour points were obtained compared to that of petroleum diesel. Results obtained are in good agreement with published data for other vegetable oil biodiesel as well as various international standards for biodiesel fuel.

 

Key words: Fuel, ethanol, palm kernel oil, biodiesel, renewable energy.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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