ANALYSING THE LUBRICANT RHEOLOGY-PRESSURE RELATION FOR BIODIESEL DERIVED WASTE PALM COOKING OIL (WPCO)

Abstract

Given that its primary energy sources are reported to be dwindling daily, the pursuit for new alternatives to fossil fuel is essential. Biodiesel is perceived as a viable option for achieving sustainable and renewable energy in response to this challenge. The present study demonstrates the potential of Waste Palm Cooking Oil, Raw Palm Cooking Oil, Waste Palm Methyl Ester, and Raw Palm Methyl Ester as lubricants. This study's objective is to analyze the rheological behaviour of produce biodiesel lubricant from two distinct feedstocks, namely WPCO and Raw PCO at increasing temperature from 25°C to 100°C. Both WPCO and Raw PCO are subjected to a transesterification reaction, which is facilitated by potassium as a catalyst, in order to remove the free fatty acid (FFA) present. This study discovered that the biodiesel production efficiency for waste palm methyl ester (WPME) was 82.5%, whereas the yield for raw palm methyl ester (RPME) was 96.4%. A qualitative analysis was carried out by Gas Chromatography Analysis to identify the presence of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) in the biodiesel produced from Waste Palm cooking oil (WPCO) and Raw Palm Cooking Oil (RPCO). The physicochemical properties of all four varieties of oils were evaluate. WPCO, WPME, Raw PCO, and Raw PME had densities of 895 kg/, 865 kg/, 898 kg/, and 867 kg/ at 40 °C, respectively. The density that was acquired was subsequently employed to calculate the kinematic viscosity of the lubricants. At a temperature of 40 °C, a comparison was made between the kinematic viscosity of the lubricants and the standard kinematic viscosity of motor oil as specified by the SAE. The evaluation of WPCO, WPME, Raw PCO, and Raw PME in comparison to SAE motor oils standard reveals that none of the aforementioned oil types exhibit the necessary properties to function as a pourable engine lubricant.