Thesis Archive
Transesterification of Jatropha Cureas L. Oil with Ethanol Using Conventional and Microwave Heating (2011)
Jenn Lusther G. Mutia
Leah Nazel P. Casiano
Abstract:
-“Fossil fuel reserves have already decreased and now scientists are developing alternative sources of fuel. One of the main focuses as a solution to the problem is the production of biodiesel. Biodiesel is made up of alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids developed from plant oils particularly vegetable oil, animal fats or used cooking oils. The oils are carefully chosen because of their properties and also based on their availability and affordability. Jatropha curcas L. oil, “tuba-tuba”” in the Filipino, can be a viable alternative source for biodiesel for its attributes like low acidity, good oxidation stability, low viscosity and better cold properties. Since the crude Jatropha curcas L. oil has a high acid value, which can result to poor engine performance, it was pre-treated using esterification with sulfuric acid, alcohol to FFA ratio of 24:1, catalyst to oil ratio of 4% and reaction time of 6 minutes. This resulted to a significant decrease of 91.10% from the original acid value. After pre-treatment, transesterification process was performed with high and low level parameters of 50°C and 70°C for temperature, 1% and 1.5% catalyst to oil ratio and 4:1 and 6:1 alcohol to oil ratio. The catalyst used is NaOH and KOH. For conventional heating the reaction time employed was 5 hours and 8 hours. While for microwave 5 minutes and 15 minutes were used. Based from the esterified oil, the highest percent yield attained through conventional heating is 73 % using a temperature of 70oC, reaction time of 5 hours, 1% w/w NaOH catalyst and 6:1 alcohol to oil ratio. On the other hand, for the microwave heating, the highest percent yield obtained is only 67.42% using a temperature of 70oC, reaction time of 5 minutes, 1% w/w KOH catalyst and 4:1 alcohol to oil ratio. The samples with the lowest total glycerol content for both conventional and microwave resulted to a density, flash point, cloud point and acid value that is within range or considered acceptable based from biodiesel standards and previous studies conducted. However the viscosity obtained was higher than the desired. It was concluded that producing ethyl esters from Jatropha curcas L. oil were viable but resulted in low yield. It was recommended that anhydrous ethanol should be used and more ways to enhance separation of biodiesel and glycerol layer should be explored. “
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Ms. Susan Roces
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