SULPHURIC ACID CATALYZED PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM PALM KERNEL OIL (PKO)

The increasing threat posed to the environment from consumption of fossil fuels, continuous rise in fossil fuel prices, global warming, and rapidly decreasing crude oil deposits amongst other factors are of great concerns to human existence. These have triggered the research into finding a substitute to conventional diesel fuel. The research involved the extraction of palm kernel oil (PKO) from readily available palm kernel sampled from Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State-Nigeria and the production of biodiesel from the palm kernel oil (PKO) using sulphuric acid catalyzed transesterification reaction.The yield of the biodiesel produced was determined to be 77%. The quality of the biodiesel produced was kept in check by measuring its specific gravity, viscosity, moisture content, pH, acid value to be 5.25 g mL-1, 5.20 mm2 s-1, 0.03 %, 10.0, and 0.74 mg KOH g-1 respectively. These parameters agree with standards set by the American society for testing and materials (ASTM) which falls within the following ranges of values: ≤ 0.05% moisture content, ≤0.8mg KOH g-1acid value, 1.9 – 6.0 mm2 s-1viscosity, and > 9.0 pH and as such confirms its authenticity. It is highly recommended that large scale production of biodiesel be encouraged. Also, the by-product (glycerol) gotten from the process offers a lot of job opportunities and would add to the Nation’s economy through the production of toilet soaps, toothpaste, alkyd resins (used in paints) amongst other personal care products. By implication, adequate solution is proffered to the various challenges posed on man and his environment through the consumption of petroleum-based diesel.