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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.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
tolasum@yahoo.com.
Accepted 17 June, 2008. |
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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. |
