SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERISATION OF BIO-LUBRICANT FROM PALM KERNEL OIL (RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY)

Abstract

Research has shown that plant oils (edible or non-edible) are potential source of lubricants due to their biodegradability, sustainability, renewability and eco-friendliness. Palm kernel oil was used as feed stock in this study due to its availability and affordability. It was trans-esterified without esterification (as its FFA was 1.92 mg KOH/g) to biodiesel using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst and methanol as solvent. The polyol ester was synthesised by adopting central composite design of response surface methodology (RSM) as the experimental design. Ethylene glycol was use as polyol for the bio-lubricant production with temperature, time and catalyst concentration as the independent variables. The result showed a maximum yield of 97.13 % at operating parameters of 120 OC, 60 minutes and 0.60 %wt/wt of temperature, time and catalyst concentration respectively. Some physicochemical properties of the bio-lubricant such as viscosity at 40 OC and 100 OC, flash point, pour point and viscosity index were determined as 42.10 cSt, 4.22 cSt, 183 OC, -6 OC and 232 respectively. The results were compared with relevant international standards which established its potential usage as gear oil.