Journal of Advanced Chemical Engineering

Abstract

The Production of Biodiesel from Coconut Oil Using Base Catalyst Sodium Hydroxide and Methanol: Through Transesterification Method

H Y Bawah and Ibrahim Mustapha Muhammad*

Biodiesel is synthesized from edible, non-edible and waste cooking oil or animal oil which can be regarded as an alternative diesel fuel. The various alternative fuel options tried in place of hydrocarbon oils are mainly biogas, producer gas, ethanol, methanol and vegetable oils. The aim of this research is to produce biodiesel from coconut oil using sodium hydroxide and methanol through transesterification method which is the most conventional method. In carrying out this research, different samples of coconut oil were subjected to a microwave power of different temperatures of 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C and 60°C for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes respectively. The highest percentage yield was obtained at a short reaction time of 5 minutes as a result of increase in temperature. The graph of percentage yields against time which was plotted clearly showed that the longer the reaction time, the higher the yield of biodiesel. Properties such as density (852 kg/m³), viscosity (3.53 mm²/s at 40°C), flashpoint (119°C), pour point (-3°C), cetane (56) number, calorific value (38°C) and heating value (37.3°C) of the samples with the highest yield were obtained. This research shows that the highest percentage yield was obtained at a reaction time of 5 minutes using microwave oven at 60°C. This clearly shows that the higher the temperature the higher the percentage yield. From the experiments and results obtained, it can be concluded that biodiesel is more effective and less harmful than the fossil diesel, hence it is a good alternative for fossil diesel and can be produced in large scale.

Published Date: 2024-08-29; Received Date: 2020-09-08