Optimal transesterification duration for biodiesel production from Nigerian palm kernel oil.

摘要: The Energy Commission of Nigeria’s long term (2016-2025) plan on the nation’s energy requirements is completely non-fossil. This borne out global depletion nonrenewable energy sources, its attendant negative environmental impact and intent to utilize the hitherto neglected abundant renewable resources in Nigeria. Locally produced Palm kernel oil (PKO) currently being investigated as an alternative source diesel fuel amongst other efforts at executing country’s energy master plan. Transesterification PKO with ethanol was carried using potassium hydroxide (KOH) catalyst a laboratory scale and standard characterization (ASTM tests) resulting biodiesel. This work further considers effect varying mixing time biodiesel yield. Three replicated transesterification experimental runs were for each duration 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 120min under identical typical reaction conditions of 100g PKO, 60OC temperature, 1.0% KOH concentration 20% ethanol (wt% PKO). Results showed properties (viscosity, specific gravity, cloud point, pour point and flash point) be within international standard specifications while average PKO biodiesel yield 87.4, 90.1, 92.5, 94.2, 96.0, 96.0 96.0% obtained respective mixing duration. Optimal biodiesel, constraint typical transesterification process parameters used, found 90min.