INVESTIGATION OF TRANSESTERIFICATION REACTION OF FRESH AND USED VEGETABLE OIL

Abstract

Fresh and used palm and rapeseed oil transesterification reaction with methanol and sodium hydroxide as a catalyst has been investigated. The yield, density, poor point, flash point and kinematic viscosity of synthesized fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) have been determined. Vegetable oil transesterification reactions were carried out at temperatures of 20-60 °C, with the determination of fatty acid methyl ester in selected time intervals, for setting the kinetic curves. The results show that used rapeseed and palm oil can be recycled by transesterification as a biofuel which in pure state (LST EN 14214) or as a mixture with petroleum hydrocarbons (LST EN 590) can be used as summer or winter grade biodiesel in Lithuania.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ct.57.1-2.552