Parametric Study on Methanolysis of Refined Coconut Oil using Potassium Hydroxide-Impregnated Calcium Oxide Derived from Eggshells and Tetrahydrofuran as Co-Solvent
Author : Escasura, Aura Jane Lapaz
Major Adviser : Bambase, Manolito E. Jr.
Committee Members : De Castro, Leandro T.; Borines, Myra G.; Dizon, Lisa Stephanie H.
Year : 2016
Month : June
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract
A parametric study on methanolysis of refined palm oil was conducted to determine the effects of catalyst loading, reaction temperature, and presence of tetrahydrofuran as co-solvent both on the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) purity and yield. This study explored the use of potassium hydroxide impregnated with calcium oxide. The effectivity of the calcination and impregnation of catalyst were tested using Fourier Transform Infrared Refractory and X-ray Diffraction Analysis. A 2k full factorial design was used in the study. Moreover, the analysis for the response was limited to a two-factor interaction. For FAME purity as response, the individual factors were found to have a significant effect, with temperature having the most dominant effect on purity. On the other hand, presence of co-solvent and catalyst loading – temperature interaction were the significant factors in FAME yield, with the effect of the co-solvent predominating the other. The highest FAME purity was 94.36 % ± 1.42 obtained at 10% catalyst loading, 60°C, without co-solvent. The highest percent yield was 43.51 % ± 5.31 obtained using 10% catalyst loading at 30°, without co-solvent. The use of heterogeneous catalyst did not improve the FAME yield compared to literature values. Furthermore, tetrahydrofuran did not improve the yield since its ratio with methanol and oil was not enough to overcome the immiscibility of two liquids. Lastly, the effect of impregnation of potassium hydroxide with calcium oxide on FAME yield was not fully assessed since there is no concrete evidence that impregnation was done successfully.
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