Comparison of the properties of special biofuels from palm oil and its fractions synthesized with various alcohols

Abstract

The oleaginous composition and alcohol used in transesterification have substantial impact on biodiesel properties. This study involves palm oil and its crystallization fractions, olein and stearin oils, with methyl, ethyl, isopropyl and benzyl alcohols, as we seek to investigate the influence of the alcohol on the cold properties, thermal stability, density and viscosity of the resulting biofuel. The products were characterized by GC and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Biofuels produced from the olein oil fraction have superior cold properties compared to those synthesized from palm oil and the palm stearin oil fraction; these properties are attributable to the higher unsaturated contents, which cause the isopropyl biodiesel from palm to exhibit a higher cold filter plugging point (0.3°C). The use of benzyl alcohol yields a biofuel with high thermal stability but also high viscosity and density values that do not adhere to any international specifications for biodiesel.