5.0 Biodiesel5.1 Palm Oil Methyl Ester as Diesel Substitute

Name : Nurul Afifah Binti Mohd YusoffStudent ID : 2013275464Class : EH110 5BLecturer’s Name : Miss NorKamruzita Binti Saadon

Introduction• Biodiesel is a non-toxic, biodegradable and renewable fuel

with the potential to reduce engine exhaust emissions. The methyl ester of palm oil, known as biodiesel, is receiving increasing attention as an alternative fuel for diesel engines.

Transesterification• Simple alcohols are used for transesterification and this process is

usually carried out with a basic catalyst (NaOH,KOH) in the complete absence of water. The bonding of alcohol and organic acid produces ester.

• An excess of alcohol is needed to accelerate the reaction. With methyl alcohol glycerol separation occurs readily. If water is present, soap is the bi-product, which results in decreasing yield of ester. In the transesterification process alcohol combines with triglyceride molecule from acid to form glycerol and ester.

• The glycerol is then removed by density separation. Transesterification decreases the viscosity of oil, making it similar to diesel fuel in characteristics. A block diagram illustrating the process of producing biodiesel is given in Figure 1.

Advantages• The data available to date indicate that cold starting is easy and

engines run smoothly with less smoke and reduced content of carbon particles in the exhaust fumes.

• Palm diesel exhibits fuel properties comparable to those of petroleum diesel and can be used directly in unmodified diesel engines.

• The production and usage of palm diesel has great environmental impact with its closed carbon cycle.

• A fuel switch from fossil fuel to palm diesel will contribute greatly to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that lead to global warming.

Applications

• Palm-based methyl esters have been extensively tested as a substitute for diesel in taxis, buses, lorries, tractors and stationary engines.

References

• http://www.americanpalmoil.com/biodiesel.html

• http://www.palmoilworld.org/PDFs/Biodiesel/2-joprv17june-ms47_Biodiesel_Env.pdf

• http://www.slideshare.net/SHUBHAMMORGAONKAR/study-of-biodiesel-preparation-properties-for-diesel-engine