Parametric Studies of Biolubricant Production from Palm Kernel Oil

Abstract

The study presents the transesterification of Palm kernel oil (PKO) and trimethylopropane (TMP) to biolubricant. The PKO was characterized for its acid value, % free fatty acid (FFA) and viscosity. Two stage transesterification was subsequently used for the biolubricant production. In the first stage the PKO was pretreated to reduce FFA. This was followed by the transesterification of biodiesel with trimethylolpropane (TMP) into biolubricant. The effect of temperature (100-150 oC), time (30 – 180 mins) and catalyst concentration (0.25 - 1.25 wt %) were studied. The biolubricant was characterized. Characterization of PKO revealed a high acid value which was substantially reduced to below 1 % by esterification before transesterification to methyl ester. The study revealed that 90 % of biolubricant was obtained at an optimum temperature, time and catalyst concentration of 120 oC, 60 mins and 0.5 wt % respectively. The lubricant properties such as flash point, pour point, viscosities at 40°C and at 100°C, and the viscosity index were determined to be -249 °C, 19°C, 40.9 cSt, 9.1 cSt and 241 °C respectively. The Biolubricant synthesized compares favourably with the ISO VG thereby establishing the potential of the biolubricant as gear oil except for the deviation in pour point