Open AccessBiodiesel Generation from Palm Kernel Biomass via an In-situ Transesterification Approach
Author(s) -
Chikaodili D. Ikechukwu,
Ikhazuagbe H. Ifijen,
Nyaknno U. Udokpoh,
Esther U. Ikhuoria
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
tanzania journal of science/tanzania journal of science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2507-7961
pISSN - 0856-1761
DOI - 10.4314/tjs.v47i5.29
Subject(s) - transesterification , biodiesel , acid value , palm kernel oil , biodiesel production , palm kernel , chemistry , biomass (ecology) , fatty acid methyl ester , biofuel , pulp and paper industry , organic chemistry , catalysis , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , palm oil , agronomy , biology , biochemistry , engineering
This study investigated an in-situ transesterification of palm kernel biomass at variable reaction times (4 h, 5 h and 6 h) and catalyst loading (2 wt%, 3 wt.% and 5 wt.%). The biodiesel yields were observed to vary with these parameters. GC-MS analysis showed high fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) contents for all the prepared biodiesel samples (C-18:1, C-14:0, C-16:0, and C-18:0). 2 wt.% catalyst loading and 4 h reaction time were observed to be the best reaction conditions from the experimented parameters that gave the best biodiesel yield at 300 rpm mixing intensity. The in-situ method recorded a higher degree of oil extraction and efficient conversion of oil to biodiesel (93.93%) compared to the conventional transesterification method which gave 89.45%. The kinematic viscosity, acid value and iodine value of 3.96 mm2/s, 0.56 mg KOH g–1 and 120 g 100 g–1 were found to be within the limits of ASTM D6751-09 and EN14214 standards. These results confirm that efficient production of biodiesel from palm kernel biomass could be possible through an in-situ acidic transesterification process.
Keywords: Biodiesel, fatty acid methyl ester, palm kernel biomass, transesterification