Biodiesel Production from Palm Kernel Oil (Elaeis Gunieensis): An Alternative Source of Renewable Energy

Author Jane Akuaka
Co-Author Uche R. Wemembu, Fidelia O. Leonard
DOI http://wwj

Country : Nigeria
Subject : Science Education

Keywords : Biodiesel, biofuels, palm kernel oil, renewable energy

Abstract

This study was design to produce biodiesel from Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) through transesterification, to characterize and evaluate the physical parameters of the fuel produced. Concerns on the increasing global warming, diminishing energy reserve and high energy cost has necessitated the search for other energy source. Biodiesel can be seen as a promising alternative which can be widely use as bio-fuels, since it can be readily produce from domestic agricultural sources such as: palm kernel oil, waste cooking oil, corn flower and animal fat. Vegetable oil (PKO) is the main raw materials for this study, this research validated the possibility of producing biodiesel from renewable vegetable sources and alcohol (methanol) in the presence of an alkaline catalyst (NaOH). The use of alcohol molar ratios is 5:1, 6:1 and 6:1 for the three experimental runs of methanol: triglycerides was evaluated in the reaction procedure, which transforms triglycerides (PKO) to methyl esters of average mean of 55.130% yield at defferent temperatures (60 degrees, 55 degrees and 65) at different reaction times (45 mins, 60 mins and 90 mins) respectively, were obtained at 1.01 % catalyst concentration. Characterization was carried out to determine the physiochemical parameters like average Viscosity of 0.5504mm/s, average specific gravity of 0.8101 degrees, average boiling point of 122 degrees, and average flash point of 137 degrees and average cloud point of 106 degrees. Apart from cloud point whose value is much higher than the acceptable standards, the values of the other four parameters are in agreement according to American Standard for Testing Materials (ASTM) required standards. These results showed that the use of bio-fuels will be very useful for many industrial applications, most especially in the transportation hydro- power sectors, since it is eco-friendly, higher combustion efficiency, biodegradability and can be applied as an alternative to petroleum-diesel.

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