Parametric study on thermal decarboxylation of coconut oil using calcium carbonate as catalyst

Date

6-2015

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Myra G. Borines

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser and only to those bound by the confidentiality agreement.

Abstract

Presently, the Philippines has now progressed in terms of biodiesel and bioethanol production for gasoline and diesel engines. In terms of aviation fuel, the country is still dependent on foreign imports. Thus, there is a need for alternative processes for aviation biofuel production. This study will serve as precursor in the production of alternative aviation biofuels by employing decarboxylation for the production of hydrocarbons from coconut oil. This study investigated the potential of calcium carbonate, a mineral catalyst, significantly cheaper in comparison with the presently utilized catalyst in aviation biofuel production. The decarboxylation runs were investigated using a reaction vessel on an oil bath connected to a reflux condenser and run for three hours. A 2^K factorial design was employed in the experiment where low and high values were set for the three parameters: reaction temperature (150 °C and 200 °C), catalyst loading (1% and 30% mass of catalyst over mass of feed), and amount of solvent (76.92% and 90.91% mass of solvent over mass of solution). Thin-layer chromatography was utilized as the maine analytical procedure to determine the response of the runs. Results from the analysis confirmed that decarboxylation at low temperatures at ambient pressure using calcium carbonate as catalyst is possible. Change in catalyst loading showed the most signifiant effect on the reaction with coconut oil. With the high and low levels of catalyst loading, percent solvent and temperature chosen for the process, the experimental runs showed that the three parameters had significant effects on the decarboxylation process.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2015 E62 /P39

Document Type

Thesis

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