Chemical characterization of local forest plants in selected areas of Tampakan, South Cotabato and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur as potential biofuel feedstocks

Date

5-2009

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Veronica P. Migo

Co-adviser

Nelson M. Pampolina

Abstract

This study was able to find potential forest plants located in Tampakan mountains and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur as prospective biodiesel feedstocks, for the beneficial use of the future open-pit mining operations of Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI). Oils of Igio (DG) Dysoxylum gaudichaodianum and Bayag Matsing (BM) were successfully converted to FAME using a two-step consecutive acid-base transesterification and were found to have comparable fatty acid properties with other established biodiesel feedstocks like Jatropha seeds. DG and BM seeds were determined to have 31.70 ± 1.88% (4.39 ± 0.26% moisture) and 23.32 ± 2.03% (3.09 ± 0.17% moisture), respectively. Hexane extraction of these seeds yielded 44.81% yellow DG oil and 58.54% dark yellow BM oil. The specific gravity and viscosity values of 0.9265, 17.86 g cmi's-1 for DG and 0.9480, 19.65 g cm-Is-I for BM were relatively high with respect to biodiesel specifications. The computed saponification numbers, 228 and 256 mg KOH g-1 oil for DG and BM, respectively, yielded mean molecular weight values of 737 g moles for DG and 659 g mole for BM. Evaluating the quality of the oil gave FFA results of 34.58% for DG oil and 10.68% for BM. Acid pre-treatment using 1% H2SO4 and 1:7 oil:MeOH ratio with incubation at 70 C for 3 hours was able to reduce the FFA content of DG oil to 0.88% and that of BM oil to 3.62%, with ester yield of 69.29% for DG and 74.19% for BM. Subsequent base-catalyzed transesterification using 1:4 (w/v) oil:MeOH ratio and KOH as catalyst produced clear yellow biodiesel at 62.71% and 74.19% ester yield for DG and BM, respectively. The fatty acid profile of DG and BM using GC showed the predominant presence of oleic acid (43.05%) for DG and linoleic acid (79.85%) for BM. The fuel properties of the methyl ester product are yet to be explored in cooperation with the Department of Energy. The potential of wood samples as bioethanol feedstocks was assessed initially using their fiber content. The obtained %crude fiber for the wood samples ranged from 27.23 - 72.24%, with Te-enga Garcinia binucao having the highest percentage (72.52 ± 1.52% at 9.47 ± 0.41% moisture) and Kabunegro Cyathea contaminants with the least (27.23 ± 1.67% at 18.30 ± 0.61% moisture). It is recommended that a test for lignocellulosic content must be further done. The studied plant species may provide SMI more alternatives in overcoming the energy crises the company might face once the mining operation commence. Further experimentation, is therefore, recommended for the improvement of the exploration.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2009 C4 G37

Document Type

Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS