Chemically improved Terminalia catappa L. oil: A possible renewable substitute for conventional mineral transformer oil

Abstract

This work focuses on the chemical modification and characterization of Terminalia catappa kernel oil (TCKO) for possible use as substitute for mineral transformer oil. The TCKO was extracted by solvent extraction method. Direct purification and transesterification methods were individually applied for the modification of the kernel oil. Modified Terminalia catappa kernel oil (MTCKO) and TCKO characteristics were determined using standard methods. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry was used to determine the prevalent functional groups in the MTCKO samples. At process conditions of 55°C, 150min and 0.5mm particle size, kernel oil yield was 60.45% (by weight). For MTCKO blended with antioxidant (Acetic acid AA, Citric acid CA), dielectric strength of 46.36kV and 48.55kV were obtained when direct purification and transesterification methods were, respectively, used. The ANOVA and the Tukey’s post hoc analyses indicated that time and particle size effects were significant while temperature was not. Physicochemical properties of TCKO and MTCKO indicated its potential for use as transformer fluid.