Palm oil methanolysis for biodiesel synthesis using sodium methoxide

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Abstract
This research examined transesterification of palm oil with methanol or methanolysis of palm oil, utilizing sodium methoxide as a catalyst. All experimental runs were fixed at a temperature of 63 ± 2°C and a agitated velocity of 500 rpm. Various factors influencing the yield of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were explored, including amount of sodium methoxide loading based on the palm oil, ranging from 0.2 to 1.4 wt.%; the moles ratio of methanol to palm oil (6:1, 9:1, and 12:1); and the reaction time from 0 to 60 min. The concentration of synthesized FAMEs was determined using gas chromatograph. The results indicated that using 0.6 wt.% sodium methoxide, with a methanol-to-oil moles ratio of 9:1 and a reaction time of 30 min can produce the maximum yield of FAMEs, reaching 95.59%. The influence of the FAMEs (bio-diesel) followed in according to ASTM standard including API gravity, kinematic viscosity at 40°C, free fatty acids, and flash point with the value of 0.865 m2/s, 4.653 wt.%, 0.6 and 175°C respectively.

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