Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Pig Lard using Sodium Hydroxide as Catalyst
Authors: Azike RU, Raji W
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
The need for alternative sources of fuels has led to search on a new perspective which utilizes vegetable oils and animal fats to produce biodiesel fuels as substitute to the current petroleumbased fuel. This work was aimed at studying the process parameters of biodiesel production from pig lard using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as homogeneous catalyst for the transesterification of triglycerides with methanol. The objective was to study the effect of catalyst dosage, methanol to oil ratio, reaction time and reaction temperature on lard methyl ester (LME) yield. The optimum value of LME yield of 92.2% was obtained at a methanol to oil ratio of 12:1, catalyst dosage 1 g, reaction time 30 mins and reaction temperature 75 oC. The LME was characterized for physicochemical properties and its results were compared to ASTM D6751 standard. The results showed that density, (0.8714 g/cm3), specific gravity (0.8166), kinematic viscosity (4.56 mm2/s), acid number (0.3 mgKOH/g) and flash point (148 oC), of the biodiesel produced were within the range of the standard. Thus, biodiesel produced from lard oil, methanol and sodium hydroxide could be used as renewable alternative to petroleum diesel.
Affiliations: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Igbinedion University Okada, Nigeria.
Keywords: Homogeneous Catalyst, Petroleum-based Fuel, Transesterification, Lard Methyl Ester, Optimisation
Published date: 2019/06/30
